Turkmenistan: US Probing for Energy Opportunities in Ashgabat

A top US diplomat, in Ashgabat on March 3-4, reiterated Washington's strong interest in developing energy ties with Turkmenistan.

Richard Morningstar, the secretary of state's envoy for Eurasian energy, reportedly told President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov that US companies are "increasingly" interested in investment opportunities in Turkmenistan.

"Mr. Morningstar emphasized that the world's biggest companies, including those from the United States, are increasingly keen to intensify business contacts with the Turkmen oil and gas sector," said a report of the meeting distributed by the Turkmen state news agency on March 3.

Berdymukhamedov told Morningstar that the diversification of Turkmenistan's exports routes is a "key focus" for the country's energy sector, the report added.