Turkmenistan, Bulgaria to cooperate in energy sphere

"Turkmenistan and Bulgaria will cooperate in energy and energy security, environmental conservation, as well as the development of gas and oil transit infrastructure," said a joint declaration signed by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov on the results of the Bulgarian president official visit to Ashgabat.

The sides expressed support for the Strategy for New Partnership between EU and Central Asia, which was passed by the European Council in June 2007, the document says. The text of the joint declaration was published in central mass media of Turkmenistan.

"The presidents express the two countries' shared interest in the development of the Caspian Sea - Black Sea - European Union, as well as in the diversification of the routes for exporting energy resources. In this regard, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov supported Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov's initiative for holding a summit on "Natural Gas for Europe: Security and Partnership" in Sofia in April 2009."

"Having expressed full satisfaction with the results of constructive talks, the presidents will exert efforts to ensure the efficient implementation of the agreements reached," the joint declaration said.