Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, stated on Friday that Russia and Turkey have given their respective energy authorities instructions to immediately begin technical work on a Russian proposal that would transform Turkey into a European gas hub. (Putin’s gas hub)
Following the cessation of gas deliveries to Germany via the Baltic Sea’s Nord Stream pipeline, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed expanding gas exports to Turkey via the TurkStream gas pipeline beneath the Black Sea.
Erdogan stated that Turkey’s Thrace region, which borders Greece and Bulgaria, appeared to be the best location for a gas distribution center, adding that Russian and Turkish energy authorities would collaborate to select the best location.
Erdogan was quoted as saying, “Together with Mr. Putin, we have instructed our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the relevant institution on the Russian side to collaborate.” They will carry out this research. We will hopefully establish this distribution center in the most suitable location.
In his initial statement regarding the Russian proposal, Erdogan stated, “There will be no waiting.”
The remarks were made by the Turkish leader on Thursday after he returned from meeting with Putin at a regional summit in Kazakhstan. The Hurriyet newspaper and other media covered his remarks. (Putin’s gas hub)
Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, said that because Putin no longer considers Nord Stream 1 and 2 to be “reliable” conduits, he suggested that gas be shipped through Turkey to European nations that want it.
However, the minister stated that the Russian proposal must be “well studied.”
During a joint news conference with his Qatari counterpart, he stated, “There are investments that need to be made, and they need to be looked at.”It all comes down to supply and demand here. How much of Europe is willing to purchase gas from this project? This must be resolved collectively.
Turkey wanted to alleviate Europe’s energy crisis, Cavusoglu added.
Turkey is not interested in Europe becoming weaker in every way. Cavusoglu stated, “On the contrary, it is against (Turkey’s) interests.”
Turkey has long wanted to be a major energy center.
However, energy analysts have questioned whether the idea to ship gas to Europe via Turkey will succeed. European leaders have criticized Russia’s dependability as an energy supplier and characterized Russia’s natural gas cuts as a political attempt to divide them over their support for Ukraine.
This week, Germany rejected another proposal from Putin to increase gas flows to Europe through a link in the never-used Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea. Moscow halted the parallel Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline due to alleged technical issues.
Erdogan responded that Turkey was taking every necessary step to secure the TurkStream gas pipeline when asked to comment on Putin’s claim that Russia had prevented an attack on the pipeline.
Turkey, a NATO member, has criticized Moscow’s actions in Ukraine but has not joined U.S. and European sanctions against Russia. Turkey relies on Russia for its energy needs and tourism. (Putin’s gas hub)
It has positioned itself as a mediator between Kiev and Moscow while maintaining its close ties to both. Ankara recently assisted in brokering crucial deals that led to a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine and allowed Ukraine to resume grain exports.
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