Germany: Turkmenistan interested in gas deliveries to EU - Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a joint press conference at the German Chancellery in Berlin, Monday, following a working lunch.
Merkel underlined that Turkmenistan "has a very dynamic development with many Asian countries" and stressed the need for economic cooperation, not only with Germany, but also with the European Union.
"The president made clear that it is in Turkmenistan's interest to deliver gas also to the European Union. That means they don't want to position themselves only on Asia," Merkel added.
The German Chancellor also remarked on the social sector and human rights, stating that there were many "positive developments, for example the action plan for human rights and also the intention to nominate an ombudsman," adding that "international diplomats will be allowed to observe and to evaluate the situation" in detention centres in Turkmenistan.