Turkey, EU to boost energy cooperation

ANKARA

Turkey and the European Union have stepped up efforts at enhancing cooperation on energy works under the framework of “Positive Agenda,” an initiative intended to bring fresh dynamics into EU-Turkey relations.

EU Minister Egemen Bağış, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stephan Füle and Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger held a meeting titled “Turkey-EU Positive Agenda: Enhanced Energy Cooperation between the EU and Turkey” on June 14 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Turkey and the EU had initially agreed to focus efforts on five topics of mutual interest, then a joint statement released yesterday listed the areas of discussion as long term perspectives on energy scenarios and energy mix; market integration and development of infrastructures of common interest (gas, electricity, oil); global and regional energy cooperation; promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean energy technologies; and nuclear safety and radiation protection.

A steering group to coordinate joint work
The parties had agreed to establish a steering group to coordinate the joint work of teams of experts and to report regularly to the ministers and commissioners. Turkey and the EU also decided on some specific activities which should start immediately, focusing on gas, electricity, energy efficiency, renewable energy and nuclear energy, the statement said. This cooperation would “facilitate the eventual integration of EU and Turkish energy markets. Such integration will not only increase security of energy supply in Europe and Turkey, it will also create important business opportunities,” it said.