ENERGY AND TRADE MAIN TOPICS FURING VISIT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000948

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON ENRG RO TX
SUBJECT: ENERGY AND TRADE MAIN TOPICS FURING VISIT OF
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT BASESCU TO TURKMENISTAN

Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Romanian President Trajan Basescu visited
Turkmenistan July 21-22. The Romanians consider the visit
successful and believe that it has put bilateral relations on
a higher plane. The main emphasis was on trade and energy.
Although the Romanians state that Berdimuhamedov expressed
support for Nabucco in his meeting with Basescu, the Turkmen
were reluctant to say anything about Nabucco publicly. Human
rights was not a topic during the visit, but the Romanians
believe it is important to keep the Turkmen engaged, in order
to work wih them along the long road to reach Western
standards in this area. END SUMMARY.

EMPHASIS ON ENERGY AND TRADE


2. (C) On July 28, Romanian Ambassador Radu Liviu Horumba
briefed Charge on the July 21-22 visit of Romanian President
Trajan Basescu to Turkmenistan. The visit was timed to mark
the 17th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two
countries and was also a year after Berdimuhamedov's official
visit to Bucharest. Horumba said Basescu and Berdimuhamedov
had a 50-minute one-on-one (plus interpreter) meeting. The
meeting had originally been scheduled to last only 20
minutes. The two men discussed bilateral relations and trade
development, especially in the areas of transportation,
communications, construction, and oil and gas. Horumba said
Berdimuhamedov expressed Turkmenistan's support for Nabucco.
They discussed increasing the number of scholarships for
Turkmen students to study in Romania. They also discussed
setting up links between Avaza and a mountain resort town
that Berdimuhamedov visited in 2008. (The first step will be
exchange visits between local officials from each area.)
Berdimuhamedov suggested that the Romanians invest in the
Avaza National Tourist Zone. The two sides also discussed a
transport corridor from Turkmenbashy through the southern
Caucasus to the port city of Constanta in Romania. The only
other substantive meeting was with Mejlis (parliament)
Speaker Akja Nurberdiyeva. Nurberdiyeva will visit Romania
September 5.


3. (C) The leaders signed three bilateral documents: the
Protocol of the First Session of the Turkmen-Romanian
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific, and
Economic Cooperation, the Regulations of the Turkmen-Romanian
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific, and
Technical Cooperation, and the Protocol on the Exchange of
Instruments of Ratification for the Convention between the
Government of Turkmenistan and the government of Romania
Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal
Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital,
signed in Bucharest on July 16, 2008.


4. (C) In addition to the formal meetings, Basescu laid
flowers at several monuments, including the Gypjak mosque and
the Independence Monument. Basescu visited the National
Cultural Center, Presidential Museum, and a horse farm. He
presented Berdimuhamedov with a Romanian saddle. In turn,
Basescu received a carpet from the Turkmen leader.

TURKMEN-ROMANIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION


5. (C) In conjunction with the visit, the Turkmen-Romanian
Intergovernmental Commission held its first meeting. Foreign
Minister Meredov and Romanian Foreign Minister Christian
Diakomesko served as chairs. (NOTE: According to Horumba,
although the Turkmen originally had been reluctant, the
Romanians wanted Meredov to be chair, because he chairs the
Turkmen-Russia Bilateral Commission. END NOTE.) The
Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister, who handles energy issues,
and a number of Romanian oil and gas businessmen also
attended.

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6. (SBU) Horumba said that in 2008 bilateral trade amounted
to $160 million (mostly refined oil products, such as
lubricants). Romania also sells equipment and appliances
made elsewhere in Europe to Turkmenistan. Romania would like
to sell more furniture to the Turkmen. Horumba said that
Romanian furniture was popular in Turkmenistan before the
fall of the Soviet Union and is considered higher quality
than Turkish furniture, but is cheaper than furniture from
other parts of Europe.

SOME FRUSTRATION


7. (C) While Horumba described the visit as successful and as
one which put bilateral relations on a higher plane, he said
it was not without frustration. He said it was difficult to
work with the Turkmen on the planning, since they do not like
to share information. In addition, the Turkmen were
resistant to allowing security and communications personnel
to visit venues. In fact, they did not get to see them until
noon of the same day of Basescu's arrival.


8. (C) Horumba also said parts of the joint communique were
puzzling or disappointing. The Turkmen did not want any
mention of Nabucco in the communique. Nevertheless, the
Romanians were pleased that the Turkmen did not object to
Basescu mentioning Nabucco publicly. Furthermore, the
statement that Romania would admit Turkmen students to study
maritime law and naval cartography came from out of the blue
and was never mentioned in the meetings.


9. (C) COMMENT: Human rights was not a topic during the
visit, although the Horumba said the Romanian position was in
line with EU and U.S. positions on the subject. His view is
that it is important to keep the Turkmen engaged and realize
that they have a long road ahead of them to reach Western
standards. END COMMENT.
CURRAN