Turkey for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine

Turkey is interested  in  Ukraine’s remaining   a  transit of the  Russian gas to Europe, said  Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish media reported.

"We hope that Ukraine will continue to be a transit country,"- quoted Davutoglu the  Ukrainian agency. The report argues that the relevant  statement was made by the  Turkish minister made during his visit to Brussels on January 15th.

Davutoglu comment was made in connection with the statements of the  Russian Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, that Russia plans to cut gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine and redirect it through Turkey.

Turkish prime minister  said that Turkey also receives Russian gas through Ukraine. He stressed that Turkey is interested in increasing energy supplies along different routes, particularly from Azerbaijan and Iran. Previously  the issue of gas supplies was  discussed by the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey during the visit of President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara. Both leaders supported  the project TANAP and southern gas corridor,  and not the Russian idea.

   Davutoglu also said that Turkey has good relations and a high level of cooperation with Ukraine as well as with Russia, but relations with Kiev are  based solely on the principles of territorial integrity.

Early December last year, Russia offered Turkey gas pipeline project through the Black Sea - "Blue Stream-2". It should be a continuation  of the  pipeline "Blue Stream" from Russia to Turkey under the Black Sea. Russia considers new pipeline as a substitute  to the repealed the "South Stream". About  termination of the construction was announced last December 1, 2014. The corresponding statement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Turkey. As a  reasons for the closure of the project  was noted the position of Bulgaria,  which has not yet given permission to Russia  to build a pipe.  Moscow stated it would not  build the pipeline under such circumstances. "That’s all,l the project  is closed,"  said the head of "Gazprom" Alexey Miller.

Miller informed the Vice-President of the European Commission for energy dialogue Maroš Šefčovič  on Russia's decision to completely redirect the amount of gas going to Europe through Ukraine, on the border of Turkey and Greece.  "Gazprom" has made it clear that in any case will refuse transit of gas through Ukraine in 2020, and suggested Europe hurry to build a pipeline to receive gas through Turkey.

Miller said that in 2018, at the end of the transit gas contract  with Ukraine, "Gazprom" will refuse to renew it, and Europe will be able to receive gas through a new pipeline that Turkish authorities have proposed to call "a Turkish stream." -02D-