TEHRAN - Iran's Ambassador to Ashkhabad, Mehdi Mir Abutalebi, said Tuesday evening that the Turkmenistan gas pipeline to Iran is the first step in exporting of Turkmen gas to the outside world. Speaking on Turkmen TV, Abutalebi added that Turkmenistan is the first country in the region to export its energy products to the world. The fiber optic and Korpadzhe-Kord Koy gas pipeline are two giant projects demonstrating independence and impartiality of Turkmenistan, he said.

The two projects went on stream during the 2-day visit to Turkmenistan of President Mohammad Khatami this week.