Turkey will be the primary user of Cyprus gas, PM Davutoğlu says

ISTANBUL

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu scratches his head as he listens to US Vice President Joe Biden during the annual Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul. AP photo

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu highlighted Nov. 22 the importance of the use of Cyrpus' natural resources for peace, adding that Turkey would be the primary user of gas coming out of the divided island.

Davutoğlu made the remarks in a speech at the closing session of the sixth Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul.

"Everyone will gain in Cyprus if both sides accept that natural sources around the island belong to all sides. Peace should be achieved without delay," he said.

He called for restarting negotiations over the issue. "Let's use this opportunity for the solution of this issue," he said.

The prime minister also referred to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline spanning the Caspian and the Mediterranean, calling on Armenia to "remain peaceful" when Caspian oil gets transferred to Europe.

"Energy is a great value for us; it should be used for the prosperity of humanity. When it is used as a tool for conflict, there will be no winners in the long term," Davutoğlu said.

Davutoğlu also said energy-related issues would top Turkey's agenda during its G20 presidency term.

Turkey is set to take over the 2015 term-presidency of the G20 group in December.

"When we start our G20 presidency, we plan to take steps in energy security, which is indeed a guarantee for stability. We want to be a bridge of peace... Energy should not be seen as a weapon for conflicts, it should be seen as a facilitator to further improve the well-being of people," he said.

"Around half of humanity does not have access to power. When we start our G20 presidency, we will take steps to improve the situation for all humanity ... If the issue is environment, then foreign ministers from every country should act as interior ministers of humanity," Davutoğlu added.

He also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey, especially in the current backdrop of regional turmoil. He said cooperation between both sides had become even more vital because of the recent Arab uprisings and the geopolitical crises in its aftermath.
     
"The cooperation between the two countries is needed even more in these days," Davutoğlu said. "Especially for energy and economy, we know that crises are becoming intense in our region."

"All the crises in Turkey's neighboring countries have made an impact on our country. We are not willing to see regimes torturing their nations and terrorist organizations threatening peoples' lives and safety," he said.

On Iraq, Davutoğlu said Turkey wanted to see an "inclusive political structure" in the country.

"Iraq should not be a victim of terror; Iraq should be talked about its wealth ... We want to continue the dialogue with Iraq. Turkey needs energy supply, and we cannot just sit back and watch what is happening there," he said.

"Iraq can become the fastest-growing country in the world if stability is achieved. It is the luckiest country in the Middle East in terms of its rich natural sources and large population," Davutoğlu added.