TURKEY'S ENERGY POLICY IN A CHANGING WORLD ORDER

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, together with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz, attended a conference titled "Turkey's Energy Policy in a Changing World Order" organised by Istanbul Bilgi University Social Sciences Club.

Stating that in the current political conjuncture Europe would not be able to solve its problems without Turkey, Bagis said Turkey was a centre of solution for the problems faced in Europe.

Bagis indicated that 70% of energy resources needed by Europe was in Turkey's region.

Answering a question on energy chapter in accession negotiations, Bagis said that there were problems considering this chapter because Southern Cyprus wanted to prospect oil in the Mediterranean freely but Turkey did not accept that. Bagis added: "Chapters related to political problems would not be closed before Cyprus problem is solved."

Bagis said: "At this stage I attach great importance to the efforts of Mr. Talat and Mr. Hristofyas. They have been friends since their youth and they both know politics very well. We hope that a comprehensive solution will be achieved in the island as soon as possible. Cyprus at this point is one of our most important corner stones in the EU accession process."

Answering a question, Bagis indicated that he attached great importance to the democratic initiative because it was related to increasing Turkey's standards to the EU level. Bagis said people would not have much reasons to get involved in terrorism after citizenship rights are provided at the EU level.

Source: AA