Austria and Turkmenistan agreed Monday to strengthen political and economic ties, especially in the energy sector, during an official visit to Austria by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer and his counterpart discussed the planned European Union-backed Nabucco pipeline, which will start bringing gas from Central Asia to Europe in 2013, Fischer told a joint press conference, where the two leaders read statements, while journalists weren't allowed any questions.
The pipeline is aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on Moscow's gas supplies by bypassing Russian territory.
Fischer also said they had discussed human rights in Turkmenistan, adding he had called for the Red Cross to be allowed into the central Asia country.
The rights group Human Rights Watch had urged Austria ahead of the visit to push Berdymukhamedov to free political prisoners and repeal oppressive laws, in exchange for closer ties.
The Turkmen leader praised the "very good negotiations" that had taken place with the Austrian side.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik signed an agreement with Turkmenistan to create a mechanism for political consultations, while Economy Minister Martin Bartenstein inked a similar document aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties.
In 2007, Austrian exports to Turkmenistan totaled EUR33 million, compared with EUR6.35 million the previous year.
Imports from the central Asian country, mostly in the energy sector, were EUR28.25 million, up from EUR307,000 in 2006.