Energy is achilles heel, minister says

ANKARA

Turkey’s dependence on foreign energy supplies is its soft spot, according to Foreign Minister Davutoğlu. AFP photo

Turkey’s dependence on foreign energy supplies is the country’s “soft spot,” the Turkish foreign minister says.

“We have quite a soft spot regarding energy issues, be it with respect to the current deficit account or global competitiveness. It is hard to make realistic plans for the future without taking this into account,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said yesterday, as Energy Minister Taner Yıldız briefed the ambassadors’ conference on global energy issues.

Hooked on energy costs

Turkey was among the countries that did not have energy resources but luck with its geography, Davutoğlu said. Those countries became important actors due to being energy transit points, he said.
“The most fragile area of the Turkish economy is having a structure hooked on energy costs,” Davutoğlu said.