Issue 13 (2012)
April 5 - 12, 2012
*For Breaking News See Our Blog Sifting the Karakum*
http://www.eurasianet.org/voices/karakum
News Analysis
Much discussion among the Caspian littoral states this week focused on the planned Trans-Caspian project, which would transport gas through the territory of Azerbaijan and Georgia, bypassing Russia. With an anticipated capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year, the pipeline would transport Turkmenistan’s gas via the Nabucco pipeline, providing an alternative to Gazprom’s South Stream project. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov announced that Ukraine was ready to invest up to EUR 790 million into the the project that has a total estimated pricetag of 7.9 billion euro. Azerbaijan, however, was vague in its intentions, with its Minister of Industry and Energy, Natig Aliyev, declaring his country’s interest in the project, and the President of Azerbaijan’s State Oil and Gas Company, Rovnag Abdullaev, noting that Azerbaijan is not a member of the project and can only consider the possibility of allowing gas to transit through its territory only after the European Union and Turkmenistan agree on the project. Russia and Iran are both openly against the Trans-Caspian project, while Kazakhstan – the fifth littoral state – has not yet declared a position.
The Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India pipeline (TAPI) also received some attention, as officials from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as a representative of the Asian Development Bank, made plans to meet in Ashgabat on May 24 to finalize plans for the project. The Asian Development Bank plans to partially fund this project,the total cost of which is estimated at 10 billion USD. Meanwhile, an official of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan, Mohammad Chaudhry Ejaz, said that a Pakistani delegation will visit Ashgabat on April 17-18 to sign the agreement to transport Turkmen gas supplies via TAPI. Reportedly, India has already signed a similar agreement with Turkmenistan. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov also met with the Minister of Mining of Afghanistan, Vahidulla Shahrani, to discuss possibilities for the construction of TAPI.
Among Turkmenistan’s projects that are currently online, total amount of natural gas deliveries through the Turkmenistan - China gas pipeline exceeded 25 billion cubic meters during the first quarter of this year, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. China and Turkmenistan agreed to construct a second branch of the gas pipeline in addition to the one commissioned in 2009, to help Turkmenistan fulfill its obligations and supply 65 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China per year for 30 years.
Turkmenistan’s energy supplies seem to spring abundant, as the Turkmenistan’s Ministry of the Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the Galkynysh gas field in the Mary region, the second largest in the world in terms of volumes of natural gas reserves, produced a new commercial inflow with the potential of up to one billion cubic meters of natural gas per day. Germany’s “RWE Dea AG” announced that it plans to begin drilling operations in Offshore Block 23 in the Turkmen Sector of the Caspian Sea in early 2013.
Whether Turkmenistan’s energy wealth can improve the life of the country’s citizens is yet to be seen, though the state demonstratively promoted a “Week on Health and Happiness” during which employees of state and private companies were forced to actively engage in various sports activities, along with young people and schoolchildren, whose classes were canceled for the entire week in order to devote time to compulsory physical exercise. Columbia University’s Earth Institute’s “World Happiness Report” did name Turkmenistan as the happiest country of the former Soviet Union, and number 32 on a list of 150 countries. However, it is worth noting that the Institute came to this conclusion from polls conducted among citizens of the countries, and Turkmenistan’s favorable image may have resulted from people’s fear to give honest answers and face reprisals. And whereas happiness is a good thing, essential to it are fairness, healthcare, social mobility, education, and jobs, which are in much shorter supply in Turkmenistan.
For example, recent publications have noted Turkmenistan’s poor health indicators using data from the UN World Food Programme such as how 11% of children in Turkmenistan are malnourished, and 15% have developmental disorders.
The population’s health seriously declined under Turkmenistan’s previous dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, who had dismantled the country’s health care system, closing all hospitals outside the capital, and ordering all sick people needing care to travel there. Perhaps to resuscitate the system, and address the health needs of the country’s provinces, Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry will sign contracts with Turkish companies to design and build emergency hospitals in Ashgabat and in the regions as well as to equip the facilities and train their staffs, as well as to build a cardiology center in the capital. Additionally,
President Berdymukhamedov even made declarations to increase life expectancy in Turkmenistan to 85 years. This, and other efforts, including a focus on building sports institutes and facilities, and declared intentions to invite world-renowned coaches to train Turkmenistan’s national sports teams, have somewhat of an air of vanity, glorifying its leaders, instead of seriously addressing the impoverished social and economic sectors of the country that suffered so much under Niyazov’s unconcern.
Last week Turkmenistan held its first automobile race and President Berdymukhamedov “asked permission” to participate in it. He won, recording the best time in the time-trials, and the organizers of the event decided to give the Volkicar he drove to the national sports museum. Now Turkmenistan is opening the horse-racing spring season, and it remains to be seen what role the President will choose to assume in this regard.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Turkmenistan, US Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
On April 5, the US Embassy in Turkmenistan held a public event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the United States. The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Representatives of various ministries and departments, the Institute of International Relations of Turkmenistan, other universities, the Academy of Sciences, national libraries and the media, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, participated in the joint event.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16101.html
US Embassy in Ashgabat Introduces New Apple Technology
On April 5, the US Embassy in Turkmenistan hosted a public event to introduce new iPads, MacBook Air, and iMac Learning Stations for the Turkmen public’s use at the Embassy’s Information Resources Center (IRC). The new equipment will allow users to study topics such as music, literature, science, and languages. Employees of Turkmenistan’s ministries, representatives of the educational, scientific, and cultural community, as well as regular IRC visitors took part in the event.
http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/pr20120405.html
Ukraine Wants to Invest 790 Million Euro in Trans-Caspian Pipeline
On April 4, at a meeting with Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov announced that Ukraine is ready to invest up to EUR 790 million into the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project on the condition that there will be an offshoot to the Georgian oil port of Kulevi on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, where the gas can be shipped to Ukraine.
The planned Trans-Caspian pipeline would transport gas through the territory of Azerbaijan and Georgia, bypassing Russia. The pipeline, with anticipated capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year, would allow gas to be transported from Turkmenistan via the Nabucco pipeline, which would be an alternative to Gazprom’s South Stream project. The cost of the Trans-Caspian project is estimated at 7,9 billion euro.
http://www.kommersant.ua/doc/1908409/print
Russian Foreign Minister: Decisions Regarding Caspian Are Unacceptable without Consideration for All Five Caspian States
“Decisions about the Caspian Sea made without consideration for the opinions of all five littoral states are unacceptable,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a press-conference in Baku on April 3, after negotiations with his Azerbaijani colleague Elmar Mamediarov. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are currently in negotiations, Russia and Iran, are openly against Trans-Caspian project, and Kazakhstan – the fifth littoral state – still has not made its positions clear.
“In actuality, Azerbaijan is not a member of the Trans-Caspian pipeline project”, President of Azerbaijan’s State Oil and Gas Company Rovnag Abdullaev, said to journalists on April 4th. “Only after the European Union and Turkmenistan agree on this project can Azerbaijan consider the possibility of allowing the gas transit through its territory,” said Abdullaev.
http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012040000#12348
Azerbaijan Supports Trans-Caspian Project
“The Trans-Caspian pipeline is a large project, and Azerbaijan is interested in its implementation,” said Azerbaijan’s Minister of Industry and Energy, Natig Aliyev. According to Aliyev, the project will allow Azerbaijan to transition from a gas-producing country to a transit country. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan continues negotiations regarding the Trans-Caspian project with the EU, demonstrating its confidence in its implementation.
http://regnum.ru/news/1516561.html
All TAPI Participants to Meet in Ashgabat in May
Industry ministers from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as a representative of the Asian Development Bank, will meet in Ashgabat on May 24 to sign the agreement on the TAPI (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) pipeline project, reported the Pakistan Observer on April 7. “The meeting in May will allow parties to finalize the documents for the TAPI pipeline, and will determine the fate of the project. The Asian Development Bank plans to partially fund this project total cost of which is estimated at 10 billion dollars,” says the publication, citing a source in Afghanistan.
http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012040000#12344
Turkmenistan and Pakistan to Sign Agreement on Turkmen Gas Supplies through TAPI
An official of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan, Mohammad Chaudhry Ejaz, confirmed Pakistan’s plans to sign an agreement with Turkmenistan to transport Turkmen gas supplies via TAPI. "Pakistan and Turkmenistan have set the price of gas at 69% of the oil parity. A Pakistan delegation, headed by the Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, will visit Ashgabat on April 17-18 to sign the deal”, said the Pakistani official. India has already signed a similar agreement with Turkmenistan.
http://regnum.ru/news/1518535.html
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Discuss TAPI Gas Pipeline Project
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov received the Minister of Mining of Afghanistan, Vahidulla Shahrani. During the meeting the parties discussed possibilities for the construction of the transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan - India (TAPI).
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16099.html
Russian President: Strengthening Relations Is in the Interest of Both Nations
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkmenistan and on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, reported the official web-site of the Russian President. President Medvedev expressed satisfaction with the level of relations between the two countries and stressed that further strengthening of multifaceted ties is fully in the interests of the citizens of both countries, as it promotes peace and stability in Central Asia.
http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012040000#12348
Russians Face Difficulties Obtaining Turkmen Visa
An employee of a Russian travel agency in an interview with the Turkmen language service of Radio Liberty said that the Turkmen immigration authorities reject 98% of visa applications. They primarily object to applications by those who have lived in the country previously. Furthermore, even having a valid visa does not fully guarantee that a person will be able to enter Turkmenistan. The visa application form posted on the website of the consular department of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Moscow states that the applicant agrees in advance "not to demand reimbursement of visa or any other expenses should the competent authorities refuse him entry to Turkmenistan at the country’s border.”
http://regnum.ru/news/1516980.html
Kazakh Truckers Face Problems at Turkmen Border
The Turkmen checkpoint "Farap" on the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border only operates from 9 am to 6 pm, not around the clock in accordance with international standards. This creates problems for Kazakh truck drivers, for whom it is a key checkpoint connecting Kazakhstan with Turkey and Iran. Long lines of more than 70 trucks form every day on the border waiting to enter Turkmenistan. Drivers fear penalties for delayed deliveries of goods to customers. Last winter, after waiting to enter into Turkmenistan via "Farap" for nine days and trying to warm himself with the truck’s heater, a Kazakh driver was burned alive in the cabin of his truck.
http://regnum.ru/news/1518602.html
Turkmenistan, Palestine Discuss Cooperation Issues
According to the Turkmen Embassy in Azerbaijan, the Palestinian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Asad Abd al-Munem Asad arrived in Ashgabat to submit his credentials. He held a meeting at Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry and discussed issues of bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, he received information about the main directions of Turkmenistan's domestic and foreign policy.
http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/2011197.html
Turkmenistan Named the Happiest Country of Former USSR
Under the auspices of the UN, the Earth Institute at Columbia University prepared and published a rating of the happiest countries in the world entitled “World Happiness Report.” The document was publicized during the UN's Conference on Happiness. Turkmenistan was named the happiest country of the former USSR and scored number 32 on a list of 150 countries. In the survey Russia took 76th place, Kazakhstan – 59th, Belarus – 62nd, Uzbekistan – 79th, Ukraine – 91st, Kyrgyzstan – 102nd, Tajikistan – 115th, Azerbaijan – 116th, Armenia – 122nd, Georgia – 146th.
http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012040000#12348
http://en.ca-news.org/news:465991/
11% of Children in Turkmenistan are Malnourished: American University Researcher
“11% of children in Turkmenistan are malnourished, whereas 15% have developmental disorders,” according to Sebastien Peyrouse, a Senior Research Fellow at Johns Hopkins University in his new book “Turkmenistan: Strategies of Power, Dilemmas of Development,” and citing data from the UN World Food Programme.
http://www.chrono-tm.org/en/archives/456
Representative of UN Office on Drugs and Crime Visits Ashgabat
The Regional Advisor of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Olga Zudova, held talks with representatives of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry as part of her working visit to Ashgabat. She expressed interest in further cooperation with Turkmenistan, noting that the Regional Office of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime “supports and welcomes Turkmenistan's commitment to strengthening peace and sustainable development.”
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16095.html
OSCE Familiarizes Turkmenistan with Money-laundering Prevention Mechanisms
Ashgabat is hosting the OSCE-supported workshop on the prevention of money-laundering by applying international mechanisms, tools, and best practices, organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, in co-operation with the OSCE Office of the Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities. International experts and representatives from the Finance Ministry, Economic and Development Ministry, Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Prosecutor's Office, National Security Ministry, Supreme and Arbitration Courts, Justice Ministry, State Border Service, State Customs Service, Central Bank, State Tax Service, and Foreign Ministry are participating in the workshop.
http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/2010527.html
Turkmenistan to Hold International Conference on Refugees
On May 10–11, Ashgabat will host an international conference entitled “Refugees in the Muslim World” with the participation of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, according to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The conference will bring together over 500 representatives from all OIC member countries. The final document relating to the Ashgabat Declaration and the Plan of Action for Refugees in the Muslim world is expected to be adopted following the conference.
http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/2011983.html
Minister of Motor Transport of Turkmenistan to Visit China
The Minister of Motor Transport of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berkeliev, will pay a working visit to China on April 8-10 to study motor vehicle production at the factories of the Chinese company “Zhengzhou Yutong Bus co. LLP.”
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16112.html
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
President Berdymukhamedov Promised to Raise Life Expectancy to 85 Years
At the opening of the new building of the Turkmen National Institute of Sports and Tourism, President Berdymukhamedov said: “I can tell you directly that Turkmen people will on average live until 85 or more. We shall continue to raise life expectancy in the country.” According to the almanac “Country Info,” the highest life expectancy – 82 years – is currently in Japan and Andorra. On average, people have the shortest life expectancy in Swaziland – 32 years. According to the almanac, the average life expectancy in Turkmenistan is 68 years.
http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012040000#12343
Turkmen President Wins Car Race
On April 7, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov arrived at the Ashgabat auto race track for the country's first race in his Bugatti and asked if he could participate in the competition. As no one could say no to the president, he changed into a racing-driver's suit, got behind the wheel of a Turkish-made Volkicar, and lined up with the other drivers. Berdymukhamedov won, recording the best time in the time-trials. Following his victory, organizers of the event decided to give the Volkicar Berdymukhamedov drove to the national sports museum.
http://www.gundogar.org/?024100000000000000011062012040000#12351
Turkmenistan Holds a Week of Health and Happiness
Turkmenistan held a Week of Health and Happiness. Wide-scale fitness exercises were held at public and private enterprises, secondary schools, and universities at 11 a.m. each day. Throughout the week virtually no classes were held in schools. Schoolchildren came to school in sportswear. Senior students did exercises in classrooms whereas schoolchildren from elementary school were playing sports outside. Throughout the week, some students attended practice for the sports week at the stadium, while others joined the path to health on a daily basis. Shops were not allowed to sell alcohol for the entire week.
http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/04/nedelya-zdorovya-i-zheltyih-platkov/
Emergency Hospitals to be Built in Ashgabat and Regions of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry will sign a contract with the Turkish company “Gap Insaat, Yatirim ve Dis Ticaret AS” for the design and construction of five emergency hospitals in Ashgabat (for 200 patients each) and in the regions (for 30 patients each). The contract will also include installation of modern medical equipment in the emergency hospitals, training of medical staff, and landscaping the adjacent territories. The Ministry will also sign a contract with the Turkish company “Efor Insaat Yatyrym Sanayi we Dys Tijaret AS” to design and build new buildings for a hospital with a research and clinical cardiology center for 350 patients in Ashgabat. Construction is scheduled to begin later this month. The facilities should be operational in April 2014.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16113.html
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16115.html
Turkmenistan to Invite Foreign Coaches to Train National Sport Teams
Turkmenistan will invite world-renowned and experienced coaches to train national sports teams, said President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov during a Cabinet meeting. The Head of State also ordered the opening of a special department on re-training coaches at the National Institute of Sports and Tourism with the support from the best foreign experts.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16111.html
Olympic Reserve School Inaugurated in Turkmen Capital
The new buildings of the National Institute of Sports and Tourism and the School of Olympic Reserve were inaugurated in the Turkmen capital and President Berdymukhamedov took part in the opening ceremony. The new building of the Sports Institute is designed for 1600 students. The complex includes a 12-storey main hall and two four-storey teaching halls, as well as a three-storey multi-sport facility and outdoor sports facilities. The Institute is located next to the School of Olympic Reserve, which is designed for 350 students, with classrooms, laboratories, computers, video and reading rooms, multi-function training rooms, swimming pool, and fitness center.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16109.html
ECONOMIC NEWS
Turkmenistan’s Largest Gas Field Gives New Commercial Inflow
Turkmenistan’s gas field Galkynysh in the Mary region, the second largest in the world in terms of volumes of natural gas reserves, produced a new commercial inflow with high pressure, reported Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources. According to experts, the well, which produced the new inflow, could produce up to one billion cubic meters of natural gas per day.
http://www.trend.az/capital/energy/2011492.html
25 Billion Cubic Meters of Gas Delivered through Turkmenistan - China Gas Pipeline
The total amount of natural gas deliveries through the Turkmenistan - China gas pipeline exceeded 25 billion cubic meters by the end of March this year, reported China’s Xinhua news agency. The 7000-kilometer Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan – China gas pipeline was commissioned in December 2009. Turkmenistan has committed to supply 65 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China per year for 30 years. China and Turkmenistan also have agreed upon the construction of a second branch of the gas pipeline.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16105.html
RWE to Begin Drilling Operations in Offshore Block 23 in the Turkmen Sector of Caspian Sea in early 2013
Germany’s “RWE Dea AG” announced an international tender for well-logging services to start drilling and testing operations under the production sharing agreement for Sea Block 23 in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. Previously, RWE had announced an international technical tender for the design and construction of an onshore drilling platform, as well as areas with paved roads and highways. According to an announcement in “Neuitralniy Turkmenistan”, Turkmenistan’s daily Russian-language newspaper, work should begin in the first quarter of 2013.
http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16117.html
Turkmenistan to Invite More Foreign Companies to Work in Energy Sector
During a governmental meeting, President Berdymukhamedov noted “the importance of expanding international partnership with leading foreign companies” to increase the effectiveness of developing oil and gas fields and processing raw hydrocarbon materials.
As of October 1, 2011, the geological reserves of Turkmenistan’s hydrocarbon resources are estimated at 71.21 billion tons of fossil fuel. Most of them – more than 53 billion tons – are located on land, while the rest – about 18.2 billion tons – are in the offshore zone. As of October 1, 2011, proven natural gas reserves in Turkmenistan are estimated at 25 trillion, 213 billion cubic meters.
http://www.trend.az/capital/energy/2012128.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 http://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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