by Bülent Keneş | Today's Zaman
Weary of a lingering
political tension undermining potential large-scale energy deals in its
surrounding region, Turkey sees it possible to cooperate with Greek Cyprus and
Israel in joint energy projects in the Mediterranean “so long as the political
atmosphere allows it,” Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız told a meeting in
Baku on Monday.
The
minister was speaking at a meeting with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
Republic (SOCAR) president on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum
Strategic Dialogue on the future of the South Caucasus and Central Asia that
kicked off in Baku on Monday.
“In
case of a possible remedy to political issues that remain a gridlock hindering
further prosperity in our region, Turkey will be ready to take steps in order
to ensure a lasting peace environment,” Yıldız said in a rare statement of what
can be regarded as "extending an olive branch.”
Underlining
that a recent Israeli apology to Ankara over the Mavi Marmara raid should not
be seen as an excuse for future energy partnerships with this country, Yıldız
told reporters: “But it is possible that a cooperation in energy between Turkey
and Israel follow an anticipated rapprochement.” He said Turkey will then “not
only warm to partnering in energy deals with Israel but also would like to see
Greek Cyprus be involved here.”
But
the minister has some reservations as he cites a single condition Turkey has
long seen as vital: Greek Cyprus abiding by international law. “If we are able
to make sure the energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean are made use of
in line with international law, this will be an opportunity for regional peace
and stability,” Yıldız said. “If we see the energy plans that are against
international law continue, then this is a threat to regional security.”
Turkey
has long warned the Greek Cypriot government against unilateral moves to
extract natural gas and oil reserves off Cyprus, saying the Turkish Cypriots,
who run their own state in the north of the island, also have a say on these
reserves. The dispute escalated recently when reports surfaced that hydrocarbon
exploration rights were part of the Russia-Greek Cyprus talks last week over a
possible deal on Russian financial help. The disputed Cyprus Block 12
(Aphrodite field) is estimated to hold between 5 and 8 trillion cubic feet
(tcf), or between 142 and 227 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas.
Ignoring Turkish calls, Greek Cyprus has already signed deals with some leading
energy firms to drill in Aphrodite including Noble Energy from the US and
Italy's Eni.
Yıldız's
comments follow earlier remarks by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who, for
the first time in 30 years, said Ankara would consider supporting a two-state
solution on the island in order to claim the rights of Turkish Cypriots to the
energy reserves. Ankara frets over the idea that Greek Cyprus insists on using
hydrocarbon reserves off the island to overcome its debt crisis without the
consent of the Turkish Cypriots. “The Greek Cypriot administration will have to
rely on Turkey to export the natural gas it hopes to extract from eastern
Mediterranean fields,” Davutoğlu said last month.
Speaking
to participants at the forum earlier in the day, Yıldız said massive projects
between separate countries in this region requires careful analysis as the
economies become more globalized and countries arrange their policies to make
it more attractive internationally. Touching on Turkey's development in the
past decade, he explained that the country has become stronger by
implementation of reforms and now has opportunities to develop many projects
with many countries.
Yıldız
said the region will enhance its power by continuing its political stability
and move forward by using energy as a reason for peace. “We have developed
projects with Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Iraq while keeping away from the
political commentary. Also we continue to provide Syria with electricity, even
though the politics of the state is not approved of, the same with the Greek
Cyprus government,” he said.
Noting
that Turkey's contribution to the region continues to grow with the advantages
of its geographical location, which stands as a bridge between consumer Europe
and producer Asia and the Middle East, Yıldız underlined Turkey will continue
its positive approach to contribute to peace in the region.
Large
regional projects have Turkey's support
Yıldız
promised that development of significant projects concerning the South Caucasus
and Central Asia region would continue to receive Turkey's support.
Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Djoomart Otorbaev,
World Economic Forum Executive Director Bren Borge, US Ambassador to Baku
Richard Morningstar, Azerbaijan Industry and Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev and
First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Baklytzhan Sagintayev were among the
participants at Monday's forum.
Yıldız
noted Turkey's strategic relations with Russia on energy, calling it a “mutual
dependency” and said as Turkey relies on natural gas imports from Russia and
their help in constructing nuclear power plant, Turkey continues to open its
borders for Russian natural gas to be exported to third countries. He also
reminded that the US had passed on its concerns regarding this relationship and
said, “We also had called on US three times before to take part in our projects,”
while repeating his call. Explaining that Turkey's energy projects do not
represent a barrier to each other, he commented, “While letting Russian blue
stream pipeline to pass through the Black sea, we also have American companies
searching for petroleum in the same sea.”
Also
speaking at the meeting held with Yıldız, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev
said the company will invest $17 billion in Turkey in the next five years,
stating that the investments will be the largest foreign direct investment of
the republic's history. “On top of economic investments. SOCAR also contributed
to social projects in the country that includes
constructing five vocational higher educational institutions,” he concluded.
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