ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AFP)--Reclusive Turkmenistan will host the leaders of Turkey and Azerbaijan in a summit this month at which natural gas exports from the energy-rich Central Asian nation may be discussed, officials said Saturday.
"Preparations are under way for a trilateral summit with the participation of the presidents of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey, slated for the end of November," Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov said in televised remarks.
Meredov didn't provide further details but a government source told AFP that the summit would take place on Nov. 28 in the city of Turkmenbashi, on the country's Caspian Sea coastline.
"One of the topics of the meeting could be the issue of gas deliveries to Turkey," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Turkey and the European Union have sought greater access to Turkmenistan's gas reserves, which rank among the largest in the world. Russia is currently the top buyer of Turkmen gas, much of which it re-exports to the West.
But Turkmenistan has pursued closer direct ties with the West since President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov came to power after the 2006 death of long-time dictator Saparmurat Niyazov.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 22, 2008 11:24 ET (16:24 GMT)

Publié le 22 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones