President Ahmadinejad: Iran-Turkmenistan gas pipeline important in regional energy security

Ahmadinejad and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov are set to inaugurate the new pipeline today (January 6) which will more than double gas trade between their two states.

"The realization of the gas pipeline plays a big role in strengthening the energy security of the countries of the region," Ahmadinejad told reporters after talks with Berdymukhamedov in the capital.

"The Turkmenistan-Iran pipeline is not only an economic project but an event uniting our countries with the aim of strengthening our partnership," he said.

The 30.5-kilometre (19-mile) pipeline from Turkmenistan's southwest Dovletabad field will supply Iran's Khangiran gas refinery initially with 6.0 billion cubic metres of gas per year, according to the Turkmen energy ministry.

"The Turkmenistan-Iran gas pipeline that we are opening tomorrow is an important moment for both states' energy partnership as we continue to develop our ties in the gas sphere," Berdymukhamedov in turn told reporters.

The new Dovletabad-Sarakhs-Khangiran gas pipeline will raise Turkmenistan's total yearly gas supplies to Iran to up to 20 billion cubic metres, including through an existing pipeline link, the energy ministry said.

/MOJNEWS/