While Russia was trying to hide the reason for the delay of the construction of the Turkish Stream, Turkey wasted no time laying out in the open what it saw as the cause of the delay.
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said in an interview with the Turkish press that the main reason for the delay of construction of the Turkish Stream is precisely the Russian side.
He also said that Turkey hopes that Russia will agree to create a joint gas distribution network.
Despite the statement of the Russian side, Turkey has not received the final coordinates of the Turkish Stream, which will pass Turkish territory. This is confirmed by the Turkish minister of energy.
He said that Ankara cannot give permission for the construction of the Turkish Stream because Turkey doesn’t know from where the Russians want to lay the pipeline.
Another important point is that currently there is no intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Turkey on the implementation of the Turkish Stream.
“Even if this agreement is signed, Turkey’s parliament will not consider that document for the present,” said Yildiz.
The reason is clear: Turkey is busy with more important issues.
Turkey wants Russia to allow an opportunity to create a joint gas distribution network that will be located in one of the three north-west provinces of the country. That is a more important issue for Turkey.
Taner Yildiz also made it clear that if Moscow gives such an opportunity to Ankara, Turkey won’t be the only country to benefit from this.
“In the case of implementation of the Turkish Stream project, Turkish companies will be able to take part in this pipeline’s construction in the country’s onshore, as our companies have great experience in laying pipelines,” said Yildiz.
If Moscow doesn’t give an opportunity to Turkey to create a joint gas distribution network, Ankara won’t offer a corridor for Russian gas.
In short, Turkey is slowly applying pressure on Russia to retain control over its gas.
TREND
