On December 9, 2014, Forum of the Energy Charter "Reliable and stable transit of energy carriers" held in our country on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, started its work in Ashgabat.
The Forum was attended by heads and experts from such international organizations as the Energy Charter, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, World Trade Organization, International Renewable Energy Agency, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, World Bank as well as managers, experts of energy companies and government officials from more than 30 countries.
The Turkmen side at the forum was represented by members of the government, heads and officers of relevant ministries and departments, representatives of the media.The heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in the country, as well as journalists accredited in Turkmenistan were also invited to the opening ceremony.
In the morning, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived to the hotel "Oguzkent" to participate in the opening of the forum. Turkmen leader warmly welcomed the heads of the delegations of the forum in the foyer. Then the official ceremony of photographing of the participants of the forum on the background of the banner took place.
Before the opening of the forum, President of Turkmenistan met with Secretary General of the Energy Charter Urban Rusnak.
Then President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the plenary session of the Forum. In his speech, President expressed appreciation to the representatives of international organizations for the support of the initiatives and proposals put forward by Turkmenistan and emphasized the need to ensure global energy security.
Focusing on the main theme of this conference - the reliability and safety of international energy flows, legal security of energy supply routes - the head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said: "It is becoming increasingly necessary for a generally acceptable universal approaches to this problem, clear and immutable principles of relationships between suppliers, transit and consumers of energy. Forming their own position on this issue, Turkmenistan comes from the firm belief that the international transit of energy should be done on an equal and equitable basis, to be economically and commercially reasonable. "
Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Urban Rusnak, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Vrdoljak, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Yervand Zakarian and the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Halil Yurdakul Yigitguden made their presentations at the opening ceremony of the Forum.
After completing this plenary session, the Turkmen leader wished the forum successful and fruitful work. Then President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Yervand Zakharyan, and then departed from the hotel "Oguzkent."
Then Forum continued its work. It has held the sessions: "Prospects for gas producers", "Transit of energy, complexity and benefit", "Diversification of the participants and the possibility of consumers."
Participants of the Forum discussed the current state and prospects of development of energy transit, exchanged views on topical issues of energy security and reaffirmed their desire to promote the reliability and stability of energy transit. In this context, they stressed the need for coordination and cooperation among the producers, transporters and consumers of energy, as well as with such international organizations as the United Nations and the Energy Charter.
Results of the forum were announced at the closing ceremony. In summarizing the speeches, participants assessed energy situation existing in the world, called key areas for improvement of the existing legal and institutional system of global energy security. The heads of delegations expressed their wish, according to which the process begun at the Ashgabat forum, should find its active development, and the results mark during the presidency of Turkmenistan in the Energy Charter Treaty in 2017.
