Minister: Türkiye must secure maximum gas supplies from Azerbaijan

Türkiye plans to expand its natural gas imports from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said.

“The winter season is approaching. We cannot tell our citizens that ‘there is no gas.’ We must obtain as much gas as possible from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. We must ensure access to these resources without discrimination in supplies,” Bayraktar emphasised, as per local media.

The minister noted that negotiations on gas imports with Türkiye’s state energy company BOTAŞ are ongoing.

“A year ago, very important negotiations on LNG were held in the United States. In March this year, we started the process in Houston. We are informing the public about this. Türkiye recently signed eight agreements on natural gas. We are not limited to the agreement with the United States,” he explained.

Bayraktar also commented on Europe’s approach to Azerbaijani gas, describing it as inconsistent.

“On the one hand, it is clear that Europe needs gas. Azerbaijan is ready to supply more gas to Europe. However, investments are needed to increase production. At the same time, Europe does not have a unified policy in this direction,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova