OREANDA-NEWS. May 30, 2012. Turkmenistan offers the CIS countries to establish an expert group of high-level under UN auspices on security issues of energy supplies. This was announced by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov speaking during a meeting of CIS Heads of Governments Council in Ashgabat.

He recalled Turkmenistan had submitted the issue of ensure the security of energy supplies to the UN early as 2008. "We think this issue is highly important and therefore propose to establish an expert group on security issues of energy supplies under UN auspices," said the President of Turkmenistan.

He said the work of this expert group should promote signing an international convention for security of energy supplies. Meanwhile, the President of Turkmenistan offered to set up a regional center for research of climatic changes and to place it in Ashgabat.

He also noted cooperation within the CIS framework occurs in many areas, particularly important is the cooperation in education and science, areas of high technologies and innovations. However, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov informed that during today’s meeting would be discussed energy cooperation issues in the transport sector, telecommunications as well as an environment.

Recall, yesterday in Ashgabat Prime Minister Mykola Azarov noted that Ukraine continues systematic work to secure alternative supplies of gas. He said this matter has been discussed with the President of Turkmenistan, including the possible volumes of gas which Turkmenistan can supply to Ukraine. Mykola Azarov noted the Ukrainian side insists on the implementation of the agreement establishing a free trade zone in the CIS, which allow it the opportunity to free access to the CIS countries’ gas transportation system.

Prime Minister emphasized that in the framework of supply diversification of hydrocarbons, Ukraine is ready to participate in implementation of projects on construction of Transcaspian gas pipeline.

"This subject has been discussed during my meeting with President of Turkmenistan. We also discussed it during the visit of President of Turkmenistan to Ukraine, in particular, it was discussed by our presidents. We will foster to make most for this project implementation. This is in our interests. As you know, this no today's issue, but an issue of prospects," said Mykola Azarov. PM recalled that previously he held negotiations with the State of Qatar’s leadership to provide alternative sources of gas. Also, this matter had been raised during his visit to Azerbaijan.