“Energy security is becoming very much a topic for every nation. Because without energy there is no development and progress,” Durdyev said.
He noted that for gas-rich Turkmenistan it is “vital” to have a “multi-directional pipeline” and be able to deliver its natural gas to many countries.
“The successful implementation of TAPI [a proposed pipeline to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to India through Afghanistan and Pakistan] will give us access to all four directions of the globe,” Durdyev said.
According to the ambassador, another issue currently under discussion in the country is choosing the best route to deliver Turkmenistan gas to western markets.
"There was lot of talk going on about how to deliver Turkmenistan gas to India but there is also a discussion on how to deliver Turkmenistan gas to western markets through many different routes… In the Eastern direction there is a pipeline going to China, pipelines going to Russia now why not pipelines going to the west through the Caucasus," Durdyev said.
According to Turkmenistan state news agency, in 2015 the country plans to increase gas production by 9 percent to 83.8 billion cubic meters a year, of which it expects to export 48 billion cubic meters.
