Turkey to begin negotiations on gas supplies from Turkmenistan

Trend

A framework agreement on cooperation for the supply of natural gas from Turkmenistan to Turkey can be called an illustrative result of the talks between the presidents of Turkmenistan and Turkey, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Abdullah Gul, who is on a state visit to Ashgabat.

Ankara periodically expresses its interest in the delivery of Caspian energy to Europe through Turkey, and the issue has been on the agenda since the mid nineties.

It is necessary to lay a 300-km pipeline under the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan for the delivery of Turkmen resources to Europe. From there, the fuel reaches Turkey, which shares borders with Europe. The Trans-Caspian project could become a part of several large-scale projects such as Nabucco, AGRI and TANAP in which Ankara takes an active part.

The Trans-Caspian project at this stage is considered by experts as the most optimal way to deliver Turkmen gas to Europe.

Official Ashgabat believes that the consent of the parties, territories of which are covered by the project (Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan), is sufficient for laying the pipe under the Caspian Sea.

Baku has expressed readiness to provide its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for its implementation, as reported by the representatives of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).

Source:  http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/2156037.html

Turkey thinks all humanity should contribute to solution of Africa's problems, President

AA

Turkey's president expressed on Wednesday Turkey's belief that all humanity should contribute to solution of Africa's problems.

ACCRA- President Abdullah Gul said Turkey was closely interested in Africa's problems, and believed that the solution of those problems should not only be left to the Africans.

"Turkey believes all humanity should contribute to solution of these problems," Gul said during a formal dinner hosted in his honor by his Ghanian counterpart John Evans Atta Mills in Accra.

Gul is the first Turkish president ever visiting Ghana.

President Gul said Ghana was a source of inspiration to entire Africa as democracy and free market economy worked there.

Gul said Turkey had re-opened its embassy in Ghana, and distance between Turkey and Ghana had shortened as the Turkish Airlines (THY) started to operate flights to this country.

"I believe my visit will open a new page between our two countries," he said.

Turkey president meets with Egypt’s political players

Salma SHUKRALLAH     Ahram Online

Gul's visit shows intention to craft special relations with Egypt after January 25 revolution.

In an attempt that seemed to aim at reshaping Turkish Egyptian relations after the January 25 revolution, Turkish president, Abdullah Gul, held a series of meetings on Sunday with a diverse range of Egypt’s political players.

In the morning Gul held a meeting with Egypt’s supreme council of the armed forces, Egypt’s current ruling body. In a statement directed at delegates of the revolution’s youth, which he met later on Sunday evening, he stressed his belief that the military is moving towards constitutional democracy.

Gul also met with opposition figures from the Muslim Brotherhood, Ghad, Wafd, Kifaya and the National Association for Change including Essam El-Erian, Mohamed Morsy, Mohamed Badei, Ayman Nour, El-Saied El-Badawy and George Isaac.