Reuters: Turkey ready to deliver Turkmen natural gas to Europe

Turkey is ready to deliver Turkmenistan's natural gas to consumers in Europe, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Thursday, supporting the Central Asian nation's plans to build alternative pipelines and ease dependence on exports to Russia.

Turkmenistan, a Turkic Muslim nation of 5.5 million, pins hopes of future propriety on its giant natural gas reserves, the world's fourth largest.

As Turkmenistan plans to start production at the Galkynysh natural gas deposit, the world's second largest, by June 30, its current export outlets are limited by former imperial master Russia, China and neighbouring Iran.

"We have discussed issues and signed an agreement on bringing Turkmen energy supplies to Europe via Turkey," Gul said through an interpreter after talks with Turkmen President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat.  MORE