Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov says energy exports to Europe are "the most important aspect of Turkmenistan's foreign policy."
Berdymukhammedov said that -- with the huge natural gas reserves his country possesses -- Turkmenistan needs "new pipelines to profitable markets."
The Turkmen leader also spoke about the need to build a trans-Caspian pipeline, a proposal that Russia and Iran oppose.
Berdymukhammedov has been more vocal recently in promoting Turkmen gas sales to Europe as relations with Russia continue to be tense due to a two-year dispute over the price of Turkmen gas to Russia.
compiled from agency reports