Gazprom says talks continuing with Turkish gas consumers

ANKARA/MOSCOW

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Gazprom Export has said it is continuing negotiations with gas consumers in Turkey and aims to maintain stable contractual relations, the Russian gas giant’s export arm stated on Feb. 25, according to TASS News Agency.

“Negotiations between Gazprom Export and independent Turkish consumers continue in a meaningful fashion. The result of talks will be announced upon their conclusion. We are interested in maintaining stable contractual relations with our Turkish partners,” Gazprom Export stated. 

Gazrpom reduced gas supplies to Turkey from Feb. 10, the Interfax news agency reported on Feb. 25, citing data from Bulgarian state company Bulgartransgaz, as reported by Reuters. 

Gazprom decided to reduce volumes in connection with a price dispute with private buyers and because of warm weather in Turkey, Interfax said, citing a source close to the Turkish Energy Ministry. 

The discount on gas for the Turkish private sector has been in place since Jan. 1, 2015.

Sources told daily Hürriyet that the Turkish private sector and Gazprom were in talks over the future of a 10.25 percent price discount, but the Russian side recently canceled this discount. 

Private players then refused to pay the bill and Gazprom reportedly reduced gas supplies to these companies by 10 percent.