Turkmenistan says interested in selling gas to UK

The European Union and Turkey this month signed a transit deal for the pipeline which aims to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russia with a new flow of gas from the Caspian and Middle East.

Due to span 3,300 km (2,051 miles) and meet five percent of Europe's gas needs, Nabucco will bring 31 billion cubic metres of Caspian or Middle Eastern gas annually from Turkey to an Austrian gas hub via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

"In its turn, Britain is ready to provide substantial assistance in implementing Turkmenistan's large-scale projects," Prince Andrew said according to the newspaper.

Turkmenistan produces more than 70 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas annually and used to sell about 50 bcm a year to Russia. It plans to increase output significantly in the future, which would require large investments. (Reporting by Marat Gurt; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by James Jukwey)