Togrul Ismail on Turkey’s gains on energy markets

Turkey wants to play serious energy role

In an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, Togrul Ismail, a docent of the Faculty of International Relations at the TOBB University of Economics and Technology in Ankara, has described Turkish policy in the energy sector.

He emphasized that “Turkey was very serious about the TANAP project” and noted that the country “lacks sufficient reserves of oil and natural gas. It is working hard to diversify all the routes that may run through Turkey and secure its own security. In this aspect, especially in the context of the latest events, the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, in the diversification aspect, the role of TANAP as an alternate line for supply of natural gas to Europe, is growing for the EU.” According to Togrul Ismail, “Turkey is interested in direct participation in such a project, not being a bridge or a transit state. Considering the strengthening relations of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the past years, TANAP is a project of strategic value.” He noted that rumours about Turkey’s plans to quit the project were false.

Togrul Ismail emphasizes that “Turkey has taken a course to strengthen its position on international energy markets. The position of Turkey encourages this. Turkey has no sufficient carbohydron energy resources. According to Togrul Ismail, Turkey needs to take part in such programs to keep itself supplied and secure its own security. He emphasized that “today, economic opportunities and the geopolitical situation have allowed Turkey to join the process actively. When TOTAL quit the TANAP project there were speculations as to whether Turkey would buy its share. We see today that the political line to purchase the share won. Many, including myself, wrote that Turkey did not want to be a bridge for conveyance, did not want to be just a transit state, and wanted to play a serious role in energy resources, it was ready for an active part in such projects. At the meeting on May 26, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Turkey discussed the problem of Turkmen gas.”

According to Togrul Ismail, “TANAP is just the beginning and, if relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey improve, we will gain many opportunities. Besides, Turkey in this game has always taken the role of Russia into account for itself and the region.” The author supposes that the permission Turkey gave Russia to build the South Stream through its territory is part of the strategy Turkey uses to make sure that all resource-rich states form their routes through Turkish territory and contribute to its energy security.