Moscow - Turkmenistan's new President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was quoted on Thursday as saying he would boost energy ties with Russia, a major issue for Moscow as it vies with Washington for influence in the gas-rich nation.
Berdymukhamedov took office on Wednesday pledging to follow a path set by authoritarian leader Saparmurat Niyazov who died in December after ruling the reclusive Central Asian country for more than two decades.
"Relations between Russia and Turkmenistan will continue to strengthen in all spheres, including the energy, oil and gas and humanitarian sectors," he was quoted as saying by Russia's Itar-Tass news agency in talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.
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Russia is the main buyer of Turkmen gas, most of which flows through a Soviet-era pipeline. Gas monopoly Gazprom, whose chief executive attended Wednesday's presidential inauguration, has long-term contracts to buy the energy at below market prices.
There was no immediate report in any of Turkmenistan's tightly controlled state media on Berdymukhamedov's comments and Western reporters were not granted access.
Berdymukhamedov was also due to hold closed-door talks with visiting Assistant US Secretary of State Richard Boucher.
The United States and Europe back a plan to build a new pipeline to export Turkmen gas under the Caspian Sea, avoiding Russia. China is pushing a scheme for a pipeline towards its territory and India is also keen for access to the gas.
Niyazov, though effectively economically dependent on Russia due to the gas exports, had declared his country, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, diplomatically "neutral" and minimised Turkmenistan's role in Moscow-backed regional groups like the Commonwealth of Independent States.
However, he authorised Washington to use its airspace for humanitarian flights during the war in Afghanistan that toppled the Taliban regime in 2003.
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