Turkmenistan has proven a fickle energy-export partner for all foreign companies trying to do business there. Yet, a Kremlin spokesperson’s recent statement that Russia would resume natural gas imports as soon as the end of October, confirms that hope springs eternal when it comes to the question of Ashgabat and energy.
Turkmen gas exports to Russia stopped in April following a pipeline explosion. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Since then, the two sides have haggled about the export price. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
On October 7, Natalia Timakova, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s press secretary, announced a political agreement had been reached on the resumption of gas supplies. A Turkmen gas expert subsequently confirmed Ashgabat’s desire to resume exports by the end of October.
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