The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, has decided to remove the Minister of Economy and two deputy ministers, responsible for energy and the oil sector. The decrees were published Saturday in the state newspaper Turkmenistan Neutral. The decision comes as the country, whose economy depends heavily on natural gas exports, faces an energy crisis that has led neighboring Uzbekistan to temporarily halt Turkmen gas imports due to abnormal cold weather in Central Asia.
Repression of senior officials
In mid-January, the Turkmen deputy minister in charge of the oil and gas sector was severely reprimanded by President Berdymukhamedov, as was the head of the state enterprise Turkmen gas, which acts as the de facto gas minister. Last month, the Minister of National Security – Turkmenistan’s secret service – and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court were also dismissed.
A step towards export diversification?
This decision could therefore be a strong signal from President Berdymukhamedov to accelerate the diversification of natural gas exports. Turkmenistan has expressed its willingness, without further details, to deliver gas via the Caspian Sea to Europe, which seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, in the midst of the armed conflict in Ukraine. This desire to diversify exports could offer an opportunity for Turkmenistan, but it remains to be seen whether the country will be able to make this project a reality.
Difficulties in diversifying exports
To diversify its exports, Turkmenistan is counting on the TAPI gas pipeline project, which will link it to India and Pakistan via Afghanistan. However, this project suffers from recurring difficulties, particularly due to the return of the Taliban to power in Kabul.
