Embassy News

Interview of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Steven Mann after his Meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov

Presidential Palace, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
May 31, 2007

Question: … Dear Mr Mann, you have met with our President, and it seems you discussed very many questions. . . .

Steven Mann: Yes, yes… First of all, let me say that it is a great pleasure to return to Turkmenistan, and a special pleasure to be received very courteously by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov.  And he explained to me in detail his vision for the development of Turkmenistan. We especially, this is my responsibility in Washington, we especially discussed themes of energy, about development of the energy sector, attracting American companies to Turkmenistan, and we want to support, the United States wants to support the vision of Turkmenistan’s President and open Turkmenistan to the modern world of investments.  And this was a very useful discussion, and I’m eagerly looking forward to coming back to Turkmenistan. Thank you.

Question: Mister Mann, you have been Ambassador here, you visit frequently… Well, how do you assess the latest initiatives of our President regarding new oil pipelines along the Caspian seacoast, the new railroad? And what do you think, as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and as an experienced specialist on Caspian issues, since you have intensively worked on these issues…

Steven Mann: Yes, yes… Well, U.S. policy has not changed. Ten to twelve years ago we supported alternative pipelines in different directions, and our current policy is still the same. But, maybe what's most important is talking about the issue of investment, of the development of Turkmenistan, along these lines: how can we cooperate and attract new phases of contemporary, modern, world-class investment to Turkmenistan.  This is our priority objective. Thank you.