The idea of establishing a gas hub in the northwest region of Turkey is still under active consideration. However, Ankara is currently leaning towards prioritizing collaboration with Moscow, as Russia is the driving force behind this project, according to a source in Turkey's energy sector, as reported by TASS.
"You see, this project involves numerous intricacies that require thorough negotiations. It undeniably holds great strategic significance for Turkey. However, Turkey currently plays an intermediary role in this project. Our primary focus is on our collaboration with Russia, particularly in the context of substantial gas supplies from Russia to Turkey that will subsequently be sold to Europe. Therefore, our attention is directed towards the Russian side, and naturally, we are monitoring the situation regarding the Ukrainian conflict, as the success of this project is significantly contingent upon it," explained the source.
He pointed out that there have been some ongoing contacts between the parties, but it's premature to discuss any concrete results.
Furthermore, the source highlighted Ankara's significant interest in the gas hub project. "We must consider the evolving dynamics in the global energy market due to the events involving Ukraine and Russia. Europe, as we've observed, is becoming increasingly reliant on LNG, particularly from the United States. In the long term, this could pose a challenge for EU nations. Additionally, the US is attempting to establish new energy logistics routes that bypass Turkey. These factors undermine Ankara's position," he explained. According to the source, Turkey recognizes that it cannot afford to miss the opportunity to establish routes on its territory for transporting gas to international markets.
On September 11, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that the gas hub project in Thrace remains a top priority for Ankara. He instructed the Energy Ministry and other relevant agencies to continue their work on the initiative. Alongside the gas hub, Ankara plans to establish a commodity exchange in Istanbul for trading energy resources, metals, and minerals, where market prices will be determined.
In October 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the concept of establishing a hub on Turkish soil to redirect the volume lost from Nord Stream transit. Turkish authorities have indicated that the country's infrastructure is nearly ready for the hub project's implementation, pending adjustments to legislation. Speaking in Sochi on September 4 after talks with Erdogan, Putin revealed that Gazprom had provided a draft roadmap to the Turkish state company Botas for creating a gas hub in Thrace. He noted that both sides were actively engaged in working on this initiative.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS