February 28 - March 7, 2012

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NEWS ANALYSIS

The next round of negotiations on Caspian gas deliveries to Europe between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the EU will be held in March. Some analysts believe Russia will do everything it can to destabilize the political situation in Turkmenistan and the South Caucuses in order to prevent the EU from accessing Turkmen gas or using transit routes through the South Caucasus.

On the eve of a visit to Ankara, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov told Turkish reporters that Turkmenistan has enough gas for all its export partners and is seeking new export deals, above and beyond its current exports to China, Russia, and Iran. According to state data, proven natural gas reserves in Turkmenistan are estimated at 25.21 trillion cubic meters. Berdymukhamedov stated that Turkmenistan is planning to increase its gas supplies to China to 65 billion cubic meters per year, and is actively working on construction of a Turkmen-Afghan–Pakistani-Indian (TAPI) pipeline. Additional plans include the “East–West” pipeline, which is slated to go online by 2015, and have the capacity to transmit 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Mindful of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Turkmenistan has still not given Israel permission to open an Israeli embassy on its territory. There is, however, an agreement to open the Israeli Consulate in Turkmenistan, which reportedly is to be established in the country in the coming days.

In Turkey, Berdymukhamedov met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul. The two signed a joint declaration dedicated to 20 years of diplomatic ties, along with seven agreements on cooperation on legal, diplomatic and security matters. He also attended the Turkmen-Turkish Business Forum in Istanbul. In addition, Berdymukhamedov was regaled with honors in Turkey, receiving an award for statesmanship from the Turkish Council of Ministers, and an honorary doctorate from Fatih University. Turkish firms have almost 1,300 large-scale projects in Turkmenistan worth over US $19 billion.

Despite an official state policy of neutrality, Turkmenistan maintains a relatively large military force. Meeting with the UK’s minister of state for the armed forces, Nick Harvey, Berdymukhamedov said Ashgabat is open to cooperation with foreign partners to strengthen and upgrade its army.

In the domestic sphere, Berdymukhamedov completed the formation of the cabinet for his second presidential term, keeping all officials from the power structures in their posts. He proclaimed his new presidential term the “Era of Power and Happiness.” The president called his first term the “Era of Great Revival.” Turkmen leaders like to give fanciful names to their presidential terms and to themselves. Turkmenistan’s late dictator dubbed his rule “The Golden Age,” and called himself Turkmenbashi (the father of all Turkmen) and Akbar Serdar (the Great Leader). Berdymukhamedov has anointed himself Arkadag (Protector).

In an attempt to cultivate an image as a man of letters, Berdymukhamedov produced the third volume of a reference guide on medicinal plants. A former dentist by training, and a former Minister of Health on whose watch the state healthcare system fell into a state of total disrepair, his publication of a reference book on medicinal plants is somewhat ironic, given that most Turkmen can’t afford to buy medication in pharmacies.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

President of Turkmenistan Received UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces

On March 2, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov received UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mr. Nick Harvey. The President and the Minister discussed future cooperation and exchanged opinions on regional and international politics. Mr. Harvey stressed that the Turkmen leader’s initiatives to strengthen peace in Afghanistan contributed to establishing stability in Central Asia. Berdymukhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan’s military doctrine is purely defensive in nature and affirmed that strengthening the national army, modernizing its materials and supplies, and training army personnel, are aspects of mutually profitable cooperation with foreign partners. Both noted the significance of the UK Commerce and Industry Council delegation’s visit to Ashgabat next week.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=541

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov Visited Turkey

On February 29, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov arrived in Turkey on an official visit. Following negotiations, the Turkmen leader and Turkish President Abdullah Gul signed a joint declaration dedicated to 20 years of diplomatic ties, and seven agreements on cooperation in the legal, diplomatic and security sectors. The Presidents expressed their interest in transporting Turkmen natural gas to world markets via alternative routes. Turkey expressed its support for the TAPI pipeline The Turkish Council of Ministers gave Berdymukhamedov the highest state award as an outstanding statesman, and Fatih University awarded him an honorary doctorate.

In 2011, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Turkey grew by 25 percent in comparison with 2010, and exceeded US $3.65 billion. Turkish companies are participating in 1,299 large scale projects in Turkmenistan worth US $16.1 billion, Euro 2.6 billion, and Japanese Yen 19.152 billion.
More: Turkmenistan.ru

Tukmen-Turkish Forum Held in Istanbul, Park “Turkmenistan” opened in Ankara

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended the opening of the exhibition of Turkmen products and the Turkmen-Turkish Business Forum, which took place in Istanbul and were timed for the Turkmen President’s visit to Turkey. The two leaders also took part in the unveiling of the park “Turkmenistan” and the statue of a famous Turkmen poet in Ankara.
More: Turkmenistan.ru

EU Announced Time for the Next Round of Negotiations on Caspian Gas Deliveries to Europe

The next round of negotiations on Caspian gas deliveries to Europe between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the EU will be held in early March, the Energy Department of the European Commission said. Press-officer Nicole Bockstaller, from the EU Energy Commissioner’s office, said that the negotiations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are "progressing well," and the Commission hopes to have an agreement [on Caspian gas supplies to Europe] in place soon. During the talks, the EU is planning to discuss a number of legal issues related to the construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline. Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the EU are preparing a political document to support the Southern Gas Corridor, as well as an inter-governmental agreement on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. They plan to have these documents ready before the end of the year, said Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev.
More: http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/1998938.html

Russia Will Prevent the EU from Having Access to Central Asian Gas

Russia will not allow Central Asian countries to supply gas to Ukraine, said the Director of Energy Programs of “Nomos” Center, Michail Gonchar. Ukraine cannot receive cheaper gas from Turkmenistan because it can only be supplied through Russia. Gonchar believes that Russia will do everything it can to destabilize the political situation in Turkmenistan and the South Caucuses to prevent the EU from accessing Central Asian and Turkmen gas and to disturb the functioning of the South Caucasian corridor. The expert stressed that Ukraine and the US must join efforts as consumers of Russian gas, and dictate their own conditions to Russia.
More: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012020000

President Berdymukhamedov Spoke about Turkmenistan’s Gas Ambitions

On the eve of his visit to Ankara, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov told Turkish reporters that Turkmenistan is creating all necessary conditions to guarantee supplies to any of the possible routes to export Turkmen gas. Turkmenistan is planning to increase its gas supplies to China to 65 billion cubic meters per year, and is actively working on construction of the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India (TAPI) pipeline. Turkmenistan is also exploring ways of supplying its natural gas to Europe; and there are new possibilities for this since Turkmenistan began producing gas on its section of the Caspian shelf (in June of 2011). Turkmenistan is also modernizing an existing pipeline to the north. In addition, the state concerns “Turkmengaz” and “Turkmenneftegazstroi” are building the “East – West” pipeline with the capacity to transmit 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year. It is planned to go online by mid 2015.
More: http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/1998053.html

Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry receives Chinese delegation

On March 5, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry received a delegation from China led by the Deputy Director for Eurasian Countries of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Qian Naychenom. The parties exchanged views on bilateral dialogue and expressed their mutual desire to strengthen partnership in global security, stability and sustainable development. The Chinese delegation held meetings at the Political Council of the Democratic Party and the Institute of Strategic Planning and Economic Development of Turkmenistan.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15982.html

U.S. Seeks Afghan Exit Routes

According to Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials visited the capitals of all five Central Asian republics this week amid a broader diplomatic push to negotiate new transportation agreements that will enable the military to withdraw from Afghanistan when the time comes without having to rely mainly on land routes through Pakistan. Officials said a briefing team drawn from several U.S. agencies visited Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, all former Soviet republics that are close to or share borders with Afghanistan. The U.S. has secured approval to move equipment through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Russia and Uzbekistan also endorsed reverse transit routes.
More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204778604577243720419401942.html?KEYWORDS=Turkmenistan, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833004577251662364238448.html?KEYWORDS=Turkmenistan

Israel to Open Consulate in Turkmenistan

An Israeli consulate is to open in Ashgabat in the coming days. Mindful of the escalating confrontation between Israel and Iran, Turkmenistan does not want to spoil its relations with Iran, and Jerusalem decided not to push Ashgabat to open its Embassy. The consulate will mainly deal with Israelis who come to Turkmenistan through the work of the Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said the Ministry’s Deputy Director General for Relations with International Organizations, Pinhas Avivi. He added that negotiations on opening the Israeli embassy in Ashgabat are still underway. Ashgabat has declined two candidates for the position of the Israeli ambassador in Turkmenistan: Reuven Dinel and Haim Koren.
More: http://izrus.co.il/dvuhstoronka/article/2012-03-04/17199.html

Turkmenistan to Increase Gas Supplies to Iran

Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister and Head of the Iranian National Gas Company, Javad Owji, stated that Turkmenistan is planning to increase gas exports to Iran. In early February Turkmenistan cut natural gas supplies to Iran by 50 percent without prior warning, apparently due to cold snaps in Central Asia, and the volume decreased from 20 to 10 billion cubic meters. It is not clear exactly how much of Turkmen gas will now go to Iran.
More: http://regnum.ru/news/1504426.html

Days of Iranian Culture Opened in Ashgabat

Turkmenistan and Iran are marking the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with the Days of Iranian Culture in Ashgabat. Artisans from Iran arrived to Ashgabat to participate in cultural and musical programs, thematic exhibitions, and movie screenings.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15978.html

Turkmenistan to Host Meeting on Caspian Sea Legal Regime

Speaking to the Mehr News Agency on March 4, the Iranian President's Special Envoy for Caspian Sea Affairs, Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh, said that a meeting on the Caspian Sea legal regime is scheduled to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in March. The meeting is in line with efforts to ratify a convention on the Caspian Sea legal regime.
More: http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/96064-turkmenistan-to-host-meeting-on-caspian-sea-legal-regime-

United Nations Development Programme and Government of Turkmenistan sign Memorandum of Understanding

The International Conference “Turkmenistan-UN: 20 years of cooperation” was held in Ashgabat to mark the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan's membership in the United Nations. As part of the conference, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the establishment of a Strategic Advisory Board, composed of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Development and the Ministry of Finance of Turkmenistan and UNDP; the board will identify priority areas and bilateral projects and evaluate their results.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15973.html

DOMESTIC EVENTS

Turkmenistan Enters the Era of Power and Happiness

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov announced that the Era of Great Revival is finished and now Turkmenistan is entering the Era of Power and Happiness. This is the name for the new five-year term of Berdymukhamedov’s presidency. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov received the title “Arkadag” (the Protector) and a number of rewards, including the title of the Hero of Turkmenistan. Also, according to rumors in the press, Berdymukhamedov is planning to pen a new spiritual guidance book for his people to replace Niyazov’s “Rukhnama”. Ashgabat already boasts a museum dedicated to the current President. His predecessor called himself Turkmenbashi (the father of all Turkmen) and Akbar Serdar (the Great Leader), and the period of his rule was dubbed the Golden Age.
More: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/02/epoha-mogushhestva-i-schastya/

All Heads of Law Enforcement and Military Bodies Retained Their Positions

On February 29, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov signed decrees appointing the Heads of law enforcement and military bodies. All officials who held these positions in the old government retained their jobs. Lieutenant General, Yailym Berdyev, was appointed Minister of National Security; Colonel Begench Gundogdyev, was appointed Minister of Defense; Senior Counselor in Justice Yaranmurad Yazmuradov, was appointed Prosecutor General; Amanmurad Khallyev was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Court; Police Major General Iskander Mulikov was appointed Minister of Interrior; Murad Karryev was appointed Minister of Justice; Lieutenant General Murad Islamov was appointed Chairman of the State Border Security Service; Colonel, Annamukhamed Khodjamkuliev was appointed the Chairman of the State Customs; Major General Aman Karaev was appointed Chairman of the State Anti-narcotics Agency; Lieutenant Colonel Dovrangeldy Bairamov was appointed Chairman of the State Migration Agency. All the officials began service in their current positions from 2007 – 2011.
More: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012020000

Gmail is working again

Gmail stopped working in Turkmenistan on February 16 and resumed working in Ashgabat on February 22, and in the rest of the country on February 24.
More: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/02/korotkie-soobshheniya-2/

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov published the third volume of his book on medicinal plants

The third volume of the book “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan,” penned by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was published in Turkmenistan in Turkmen, Russian and English. The main part of the third volume, like previous ones, describes the qualities of the medicinal plants listed in an alphabetical order and with illustrations. The book also contains recipes for preparing medications from plants and herbs and a calendar for picking plants.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15981.html

Ashgabat’s Center Will Be Surrounded by Fountains

Plans are underway to build fountains around the center of Ashgabat. To clear the space for their construction, the authorities are planning to demolish a trade center and the Palace of Youth and Childhood, and have already started cutting down the trees. Ashgabat already has many fountains, and residents suspect that they are the reason for the city’s frequent water shortages.
More: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/02/korotkie-soobshheniya-2/

All Women in Turkmenistan Will Receive Presents for the International Women’s Day

All women in Turkmenistan, from kindergarten girls to women pensioners, will receive 40 manats (about 14 USD) as a present from President Berdymukhamedov for International Women’s Day celebrated in the countries of the former Soviet Union on March 8.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15970.html

Events to Celebrate Women’s Day Are Dedicated to the President

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is featured in all events planned for the celebration of the Women’s Day. For example, his statue is placed in the center of the flower exhibition, and all museums are to hold exhibitions titled “Women in the Happy Era of the Mighty State.”School and university staff will participate in the conference “Happy Women of the Happy Era.” On March 7, the Wedding Center is to host a festive concert titled “Glory to Arkadag and Hero who brings happiness to the people!”, and on March 8 all theaters and cultural centers are to conduct festive events for the Women’s Day with the slogan: “Mothers in the country wish Arkadag well!”
More: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/03/posvyashhenyi-prezidentu/

Turkmen officials to study computer literacy

During a governmental meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov stressed the need to increase the computer literacy of his government and instructed Vice-Premier Hojamukhammed Mukhammedov to organize special courses to train his subordinates in modern computer technologies. Ashgabat is planning to create “electronic government” and reduce paper waste.
More: http://regnum.ru/news/1506740.html

ECONOMIC NEWS

Commodity Exchange of Turkmenistan sells goods in excess of US $ 111 million

Last week, Turkmenistan’s State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange registered 49 transactions worth US $ 111, 803 million. Businessmen from Switzerland and the Virgin Islands bought kerosene and low sulfur fuel oil, produced at the Turkmenbashi oil refineries, while Danish businessmen bought diesel fuel produced at the Seidi oil refinery. Businessmen from the USA, UK, Switzerland, Russia, the UAE, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, and the Virgin Islands also purchased cotton yarn and other cotton products. Turkmen businessmen bought polypropylene and wheat.
More: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15980.html

In January – February Turkmenistan increased Natural Gas Export by 29.6 Percent
From January – February of 2012, Turkmenistan increased its natural gas exports by 29.6 percent. The growth rate of oil and gas condensate production amounted to 114.6 percent compared to 2011, of natural and associated gas – to 119.8 percent, according to an announcement by Vice-Premier Baimurad Khojamukhammedov during a governmental meeting. Currently Turkmenistan exports its gas to China, Iran and Russia, and is exploring ways to transport its gas to new world markets – to Europe, Pakistan and India.

According to the state’s data, as of October 1, 2011, the proven natural gas reserves in Turkmenistan are estimated at 25.21 trillion cubic meters. Over 70 percent are located in Mary region in a chain of gas fields, including Southern Yoloten–Osman (renamed Galkynysh) and Yashlar, with proven reserves of 19,050 trillion cubic meters. The rest of the reserves are situated in other parts of the country.
More: http://regnum.ru/news/1505556.html

Turkmenistan carries out large-scale development of mining resources

Turkmenistan began large-scale development of Garlyk potassium salt deposits in Lebap region in south-eastern Turkmenistan. The total reserves of potassium ore of the three most promising deposits - Garlyk, Karabil and Tyubegatan – are estimated at 2.8 billion tons. Currently in the Koitendag area of Turkmenistan, the Belarusian company “Belgorhimprom” is building a factory which will produce 1.4 million tons of potash fertilizer per year. According to a contract signed in 2010 between state concern "Turkmenhimiya" and "Belgorkhimprom," the factory construction is slated for completition in early 2015. It is expected to meet domestic agricultural needs and supply over one million tons in potash ferilizer for export annually.
More: http://www.trend.az/capital/business/1999728.html

Unless otherwise indicated, all translations have been prepared by OSI’s Turkmenistan Project. 

About the Turkmenistan Project

The Turkmenistan Project is a division of the Open Society Institute’s Central Eurasia Project. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of OSI. For more information about the Open Society Institute, visit our website at www.soros.org. For more information about the Central Eurasia Project, visit EurasiaNet at http://www.eurasianet.org. For more on the work of the Turkmenistan Project, visit us at http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/turkmenistan/index.shtml

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