Poland seeks shale gas ties with Turkey

WARSAW - Anatolia News Agency

Poland and Turkey may forge a partnership for the extraction of shale gas. AP photo

Poland will begin producing shale gas within three years and will look to Turkey for a partnership in this field, Polish Undersecretary of State Beata Stelmach said.

“If Poland begins production this will create the potential for a partnership and we are ready to begin a dialogue,” she said during a press meeting with Turkish journalists, adding that both Poland and Turkey have strong economies and that it is therefore necessary to forge a partnership.

“We already work together in the small- and medium-enterprise [SME] sector. There is also potential in other sectors and one of these is the energy sector.”

According to Stelmach, Poland will be ready to begin shale gas production in three years, which is important to help reduce the country’s gas imports. The country currently imports two-thirds of its gas needs.

“If we become producers we won’t be dependent anymore. Our situation is similar to the Turkish energy market. Now we have a chance to be less dependent, and this can be beneficial for both our countries,” she added.

Poland, Turkey to host ‘New Idea Forum’
Stelmach also said that next week Poland would be hosting the “New Idea Forum,” with Turkey and was expecting 1,000 participants from all over Europe, including Turkey’s Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz and Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) President Ümit Boyner.

“I personally and the Polish Foreign Ministry are very interested in Turkish-Polish relations. We will be supporting economic relaitonas,” Stelmach said.