Gazprom delegation in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 16 (UPI) -- Officials from Russian energy monopoly Gazprom left for Turkmenistan to discuss energy relations over the next year.

Alexei Miller, the chief executive of Gazprom, met with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to discuss strategic cooperation and the relationship between Gazprom and the state-owned Turkmenneftegaz through 2010, Gazprom said in a statement.

Moscow and Ashgabat signed a 25-year agreement in 2003 that outlines gas purchases and sales from Turkmenistan.

Gazprom warned Turkmenistan earlier this month that it must reduce its export prices or face isolation from the global energy market.

Gazprom had told Turkmenistan that regional energy demand, notably in Ukraine and in Europe, has made profits for gas exports at current prices unrealistic.

Gazprom in 2008 moved to outbid its Asian and European rivals by offering to buy gas from suppliers in Central Asia at higher prices. Turkmenistan, however, turned its back on Moscow following a pipeline explosion in April, which Ashgabat blamed on the Russian energy giant.

The row prompted Turkmenistan to court rival energy companies in an effort to move its gas supplies through alternative partners.

Turkmenistan as a result moved closer to China in an effort to receive financial support for domestic gas development.