EU, Turkey launch high level energy dialogue and strategic energy cooperation

ANKARA/BRUSSELS

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A high-level energy dialogue and strategic energy cooperation process has been launched between Turkey and the European Union, both sides announced in a joint statement late on March 17.

“Turkey is a natural energy bridge and an energy hub between energy sources in the Middle Eastern and Caspian Regions and European Union energy markets. Turkey’s development as an energy hub will be to the benefit of both Turkey and the EU,” said the statement.

Turkey and the EU reiterate that the dialogue is not a substitute to, but a complement and support of Turkey’s accession process, the statement added.

“Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız and the vice-president of the European Commission for Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic, have agreed to hold the High Level Energy Dialogue at ministerial level on a more regular basis, at least once a year,” it stated.

According to the statement, the next dialogue meeting will address all relevant energy sectors such as gas, electricity, nuclear, renewables, energy efficiency and climate action, with a particular view to preparation for the COP21 in Paris. It will take place this year, with the participation of Yıldız and European Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, who is responsible for climate action and energy.

“The launching of the High Level Dialogue also clearly reflects the commitment of the European Commission, as reflected in its recently adopted Energy Union Framework Strategy of Feb. 25, 2015, to establish strategic energy partnerships with increasingly important energy producing and transit countries,” said the statement.

In order to strengthen their security of supply, Turkey and the EU are promoting as partners the development of the Southern Gas Corridor and both Parties will continue to cooperate to implement the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project, it added.

“The development of Turkey as a regional natural gas hub is of mutual interest and was taken up in the EU–Turkey Strategic High Level Energy Dialogue. A regular exchange of information on energy cooperation at the global and regional level would be to the benefit of both sides,” the statement also said.