EU eyes creation of energy partnership with Turkey

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

The European Commission said on March 11 it intends to establish an energy policy partnership with Turkey. “The Commission intends to strengthen EU/Turkey energy relations by establishing a strategic energy partnership,” a statement released by the European Commission to The Anadolu Agency said.

“A stronger and more united EU can engage more constructively with its partners, to their mutual benefit,” the statement said.

The Commission announced the Energy Union Package in Brussels on Feb. 25, which calls for greater coordination between its member states to enable a free flow of energy across borders and a secure supply for EU citizens.

In addition, it aims to reduce its energy dependency on external states with specific reference to Russia, the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe. Russia has been subject to economic sanctions by the West since it annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine and began supporting pro-Russian separatist rebels in the eastern part of the country.

“As part of a revitalized European energy and climate diplomacy, the EU will use all its foreign policy instruments to establish strategic energy partnerships with increasingly important producing and transit countries or regions such as Algeria and Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the Middle East, Africa and other potential suppliers,” the statement said.

Turkey is to become a significant transit country, as its Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project is part of the Southern Gas Corridor.

The Southern Gas Corridor is planned to carry natural gas sourced in Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea, then passing through Turkish territory to reach Greece in the west and then further on to Albania and Italy.