Embassy News

Return Visits of U.S. Officials Advance Cooperation in the Energy Sector

PAS No 208
February 28, 2008

Ashgabat, February 28, 2008 – The U.S. Coordinator for Eurasian Energy Diplomacy, Ambassador Steven Mann, is again visiting Turkmenistan February 28-March 3, 2008, to continue U.S.-Turkmenistan dialogue on economic and energy sector cooperation.  During his visit, Ambassador Mann is meeting with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and other representatives of the Government of Turkmenistan to discuss energy issues and bilateral relations. 

In addition, Regional Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Daniel Stein will accompany Ambassador Mann in many of his meetings.  The USTDA is sponsoring a training program for Turkmen government officials that will support effective development of natural gas and oil resources and work with foreign investors in this field.

During his visit, Ambassador Mann noted “the determination of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to develop the Turkmen energy sector along the most modern lines,” and re-affirmed American support for this goal.

Ambassador Steven R. Mann’s latest visit to Turkmenistan was at the end of January 2008.   Ambassador Mann served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs from May 2006 to December 2007 following his service as the State Department’s Senior Advisor for Eurasia.  Mann served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan from 1998 to 2001.  His most recent visit to Turkmenistan was in January 2008.

Daniel D. Stein is Regional Director at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), with responsibility for USTDA's program in Europe and Eurasia. USTDA is a foreign assistance agency whose mission is to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  Mr. Stein’s last visit to Turkmenistan was in August 2007.