Turkey is very well placed to become a gas hub in the region because it can offer a good alternative to LNG supplies and pipeline gas, according to European Union (EU) Commissioner for Energy and Climate.
EU Commissioner for Energy and Climate Miguel Arias Canete, who came to Istanbul for the Turkey-EU High Level Energy Dialogue, told Anadolu Agency late last week that the EU has started high level energy talks with only three other countries Norway, Algeria, the U.S. apart from Turkey in which discussions on further energy cooperation will be on the agenda.
"Turkey is a reliable partner for EU, it is a key country. We have a lot in common. We will try to solve the problem of lack of storage capacity in Turkey but we have to deal with the future opening of the [EU] Energy Chapter," Canete explained.
The Cyprus issue remains a
major obstacle to Turkey’s EU accession plans, as several chapters, including
the chapter on energy and judicial rights are blocked by the Republic of Cyprus.
"The Commission clearly thinks when political problems are solved, Turkey
will be ready to open the Energy Chapter and the Commission will facilitate the
dialogue," he said.
Canete highlighted Turkey's geopolitical position in the region, and stated that Turkey will be on the transmission route for gas supplies from Azerbaijan and probably Turkmenistan while also featuring in traditional Russian supply routes.
"Access to Mediterranean gas would be a game changer because Turkey is very well placed to be a gas hub in the region. Turkey is a very good alternative both for LNG and pipeline gas. It is in the center of all the access routes and the EU supports these multiple hubs because it would increase competition," he stated.
Canete emphasized that the latest discoveries in the Mediterranean region are very promising.
"All will make a big change in the sector in the near future. Now there must be political agreement on how we engineer all these operations. But in the end, one thing is clear that there is going to be a new source of supply. We have to work for the infrastructure needed to commercialize the transfer of gas," he asserted.
However, he added that a gas hub can be realized in Turkey but it requires more than political will. The project must be able to supply sufficient quantities to become economically feasible.
Canete underlined that Turkey and the EU can cooperate in all the energy aspects in keeping with the decisions made at the COP21 meeting in Paris.
"We have to cooperate on how we can further develop and finalize and the Southern Gas Corridor. In the future, we envisage that the Southern Gas Corridor could be linked with Iran's sources," he pointed out.
Canete also confirmed that the EU will hold a very high level official visit to Iran in the near future.
"EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini is coordinating the visit and we have to engage in an important conversation with Iran in all areas but also in energy. The country will see great economic development," Canete concluded.
