TURKMENISTAN: MFA SHARES PERSPECTIVE ON A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000381

SIPDIS

SCA/CEN; EEB
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV EPET EINV TX UN RS AJ
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MFA SHARES PERSPECTIVE ON A
POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL ENERGY TRANSIT CONVENTION

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Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Deputy Foreign Minister Hajiyev recently
spoke to a U.S.-based scholar about Turkmenistan's goals in
hosting the late April pipeline security conference. It is
becoming more apparent that the Turkmen Government is laying
the groundwork for the development of an international
convention that would provide a legal framework for
suppliers, buyers and transporters of energy. The Government
may be assessing that an international convention will give
this neutral country a legal fig leaf to stand behind, should
disputes arise over delivery disruptions, especially with
Russia. It is far from certain, however, that the
international community will be supportive of such a
convention. Hajiyev said Caspian demarcation discussions
were continuing, and the bilateral discussion with Azerbaijan
was in the process of working out some "unresolved issues"
but that the two countries have to work out their issues on
their own. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Ed Chow, a visiting scholar from the U.S.-based
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) met on
March 18 with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy, Wepa
Hajiyev, to discuss Turkmen policy perspectives on
development of the country's oil and gas sector. Hajiyev
touched briefly on Turkmenistan's broadening cooperation with
Europe, the United States and other countries, the country's
program of export diversification, and its increasing
interest in ensuring the security of energy transport.

GOVERNMENT HOPES FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION


3. (C) He said that in recent months, President
Berdimuhammedov has frequently expressed the importance of
the economic, environmental, and physical security of
international energy transit, the concept of which formed the
UN Resolution on the Reliable and Safe Transit of Energy,
adopted in December 2008. Hajiyev said that all countries
have an interest in developing an international legal basis
for producers, sellers and transporters of energy supplies.
Turkmenistan sees the UN as its main strategic partner in
establishing such a legal framework, he said. The
development of a UN international convention would guarantee
the reliability of transit, whether by tankers or pipelines,
he said. The April 23-24 conference hosted by the Turkmen
Government will be the beginning of a long process. Hajiyev
said the Government anticipates that international academics
will study the issue and analyze the problems inherent in the
international transit of energy.


4. (C) He denied that Turkmenistan's interest in the
development of such a convention had been prompted by any
recent international events. He said that Turkmenistan
analyzes, but does not allow international events to
influence its policies. Rather, he said that being a neutral
country means taking an active role in promoting stability.
As an example, he cited the meetings that took place in
Ashgabat in the 1990s between the Government of Afghanistan
and the Taliban. We have a reputation, he said, and want to
help the international community achieve peace and stability.
That said, he admitted that Turkmenistan's interest in the
issue was growing because of the expanding number of export
pipelines that will move the country's gas abroad. He argued
that countries around the world respected and adhered to UN
resolutions and international conventions on other issues.
If there are such provisions for so many other issues, there
should be a convention for energy transit as well. He said
the first priority is to develop a solid legal foundation for
ensuring energy transit, and the physical security of

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pipelines should be the second priority.

DEMARCATION TOUGH BECAUSE THERE'S MORE AT STAKE ...


5. (C) Turning to relations with Caspian neighbors, Hajiyev
said that relations with Azerbaijan were developing in a
positive way, but the two countries were not focusing on
bilateral demarcation questions. He said there are some
"temporarily unresolved issues," but that the two countries
need to work it out on their own. Without going into
specifics, Hajiyev said, "Third parties will not be allowed
to interfere in the relationship." (COMMENT: Political
Officer understood this to mean Russia, but it may have also
referred to Western efforts to mediate the two countries'
remaining issues. END COMMENT.) He said the two Presidents
had recently signed trade and transport agreements. When
asked whether there was any potential for Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan to resolve the Caspian demarcation issue
bilaterally, Hajiyev responded that Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan are talking on a bilateral basis, that
Turkmenistan is continuing to discuss the issue bilaterally
with all the Caspian states, and that Turkmenistan continues
to participate in all multi-lateral discussions and working
groups on demarcation. Hajiyev argued that Russia and
Kazakhstan had been able to work out their bilateral
demarcation issues in the north Caspian and engage in joint
activities "because there was not as much at stake,"
suggesting that within the disputed area between Turkmenistan
and Azerbaijan, a great deal more is considered to be at
stake.


6. (C) COMMENT: Hajiyev provided Post with more specifics
than we have heard thus far on the April conference. It is
becoming more apparent that the Turkmen Government wants to
build support for the development of an international
convention that would protect and ensure Turkmen exports once
the supply crosses the border. Whether the international
community agrees that such a convention is possible or
desirable remains to be seen. END COMMENT.
MILES