The main topics of the negotiations of the delegation from Turkmenistan, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country Rashid Meredov, in Austria were security in Afghanistan, terrorism, organized crime, and illegal migration. The delegation discussed these and other issues with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, Hronikatm.com reports.
As Schallenberg noted, there is a critical situation in Afghanistan, and the country may once again become a "haven for terrorism."
"Turkmenistan and Afghanistan share a common border of over 800 km, with about 3 million Turkmen living in Afghanistan. For this reason alone, Turkmenistan maintains regular contacts with the de facto Taliban government on security and humanitarian issues," said the head of Austria's foreign ministry.
Schallenberg expressed support for deepening EU cooperation with Central Asian countries, speaking of mutually beneficial diversification.
Obviously, "mutually beneficial diversification" refers to possible deliveries of Turkmen gas to Europe.
Austrian authorities believe that the parties should make more active use of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue. "The OSCE brings together countries like Austria and Turkmenistan to work together on security. Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine to its core has shaken the architecture of European security. Right now, we need more, not less, exchanges and dialogue," Schallenberg summed up.
The next day, representatives of the Turkmenistan delegation held meetings at the Ministry of Labor and Economics and the Federal Economic Chamber of Austria.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports that officials held a round table with more than 25 Austrian companies and briefed them on the investment climate and business opportunities in Turkmenistan.
According to the state agency "Turkmen Sea and River Routes," the Turkmen delegation invited Austrian entrepreneurs to participate in work at the oil and gas fields of the Caspian Sea.
In addition, Turkmenistan confirmed its position on gas supplies to Europe through the construction of the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, welcomed Austrian companies' interest in the TAPI pipeline project, and expressed interest in the supply of Austrian machinery and equipment to facilitate the export of Turkmen gas to world markets.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 15, 2024