February 12, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 13, 1427

ASHGABAT, Feb 11: Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov said the price of exported Turkmen natural gas will increase from $65 to $100 per 1,000 cubic meters, state television reported on Saturday.

“Beginning from the ninth or tenth month (of the year), we intend to raise the price to $100 and are conducting negotiations now,” Mr Niyazov said on Friday in a speech in the northern city of Dashoguz.

“There are fuel problems in the world, these problems exist in Europe, too. Prices for fuel are rising,” he said.

Mr Niyazov said that a large new gas field had been opened in the Iolotani region, and American Parker Drilling Company was working there.—AP