Russia seeks Turk help in gas project

Hürriyet Daily News with wires

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Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Ivanovich Sechin has asked Turkey to cooperate in the South Stream natural gas pipeline. Turkish Natural Resources and Energy Minister Taner Yıldız, who is visiting Moscow, met with Sechin on Wednesday and they held a joint press conference after the meeting.    

Replying to a question on cooperation between Turkey and Russia on the South Stream natural gas pipeline, Sechin said: "I offer cooperation to Turkey. We want long-term relations [with Turkey]. "We hope that Turkey will show an interest in our offer, and we hope that we can show that this project is a better alternative to the other projects," Sechin said, according to the Doğan news agency. Meanwhile, the Russian deputy prime minister did not elaborate on the details of his offer regarding Turkey’s role and cooperation.

"It is among the projects that we have a positive view of. It is one of the projects that enhances our strategic significance," Yıldız said of the South Stream natural gas pipeline project. "I will present a report regarding these meetings and discussions to the Turkish prime minister," Yıldız said, adding that Turkey will take into account and examine all of the proposals on the table. Yıldız said the South Stream and Nabucco natural gas pipeline projects are not rivals or alternatives to one another. "Both of the projects work on their own paths," Yıldız said.

Answering a question on the possible impact on the Nabucco project of a natural gas agreement between Russia and Azerbaijan, Yıldız said: "I think it will not have a negative impact on it. Every project has its own importance," according to the Anatolia news agency.

"You will see which project is more advantageous when you take into consideration economic factors, productivity and all the other factors," Sechin said pointing to the South Stream project. Yıldız invited Sechin to Ankara. "The two countries have lots of things to do. Both countries will benefit from enhancing cooperation in several sectors such as energy and economy.

"There are a myriad of fields in which Russia and Turkey will work together. Both countries will benefit from intense cooperation in various areas including energy and different sectors of the economy," Yıldız said. The South Stream is a natural gas pipeline meant to transport Russian natural gas via the Black Sea to Bulgaria, Italy and Austria. It is scheduled to be completed in 2015.


Turkey not disturbed by rapprochement

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu echoed Yıldız’s remarks concerning the rapprochement between Azerbaijan and Russia before his departure for Moscow on Wednesday. He said Turkey is not disturbed by the recent energy agreement reached between the two countries.

"We don't perceive bilateral relations between any of our neighbors as a disturbing thing. On the contrary, we believe that as relations between our neighbors enhance, the areas of common interest will expand," Davutoğlu said during a press conference at the Esenboğa International Airport in Ankara.

"Our relations with Azerbaijan are deep-rooted, and these relations are not an alternative to relations with other countries," said Davutoğlu.

Davutoğlu visited Moscow on Thursday upon a formal invitation by his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Before talks between the two ministers, Davutoğlu said Turkey would like to deepen cooperation with Russia. He said they would also discuss regional and international issues and problems during their talks.

Lavrov also said they will discuss bilateral topics. "We will share views concerning the depth of the dialogue between the two countries in light of the political declaration signed during Turkish President Abdullah Gül’s visit to Russia on Feb. 13. We will also seek to determine new targets," Lavrov said.

The two ministers were to hold a joint press conference after their closed meeting as the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review went to press.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Nesterenko said on Wednesday that ties between the two countries improved in various fields and reached a level of multidimensional cooperation after the mutual political declaration was signed in February.