Turkey’s energy minister to negotiate gas discount with Russia ahead of Putin’s Ankara visit

ANKARA - Reuters

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız. AA Photo

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız is expected to meet Gazprom Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev to discuss a potential revision of gas prices from Russia to Turkey Nov. 25, ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the country on Dec. 1.

In addition to a potential revision on the price of gas, the two sides are also expected to discuss the rise in capacity of the Blue Stream, a major trans-Black Sea gas pipeline that carries natural gas from Russia into Turkey, according to a source familiar with the situation.

“This is a process. It does not seem possible for us to decrease gas prices. Negotiations over discounts on prices are always tough. We want to have what we deserve,” said a high level official from the Turkish Energy Ministry.

Any possible revision of gas prices will come into effect on Jan. 1.

“A revision may be secured, though it will be hard. Any possible revision will be announced during Putin’s Turkish visit on Dec. 1,” said another source.

Yıldız asked for a discount on the price of gas Turkey buys from Russia during talks with Medvedev at the beginning of October.

Medvedev said they were working on a detailed price package in line with Turkey’s demand for a discount on the price of natural gas.