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350590
Tue, 12/09/2014 - 08:16
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Russia or EU: What is Turkey’s choice?

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 8 By Aygun Badalova – Trend: The EU immediately reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Ankara. And it was quite expected, given the fact that such a sensitive topic for the EU as the gas supplies was discussed during the visit. The European diplomats rushed to visit Turkey to hold meetings with the country’s leadership a week after the Turkish-Russian negotiations took place in Ankara. The European Commission described the purpose, "The visit to Turkey aims to demonstrate the importance of Ankara-Brussels relations," the purpose of the visit. No one argues this issue. Turkey, especially now, is of great importance for the EU. In energy supply, the country is literally a bridge to long-awaited alternative gas volumes. This issue will be one of the main topics of discussion between the European delegation and Turkey. Amid the recent gas agreements between Russia and Turkey, the European diplomats will try to convince Turkey to join the anti-Russian sanctions, Western media reported, citing a diplomatic source in the EU. Despite Turkey’s statement on its intention to continue cooperating with Russia in spite of sanctions, one must not discount political undercurrents, especially, the EU’s desire to be rid of Russian gas dependence. Turkey’s consent to a gas deal with Russia will only strengthen this dependence and in case of implementing the so-called "Blue Stream extension" project, Russia will be entitled to control the supply route, originally designed for alternative gas volumes for the EU. The EU has already proven the seriousness of its negative stance towards the Russian gas supply deal. Russia’s refusal to realize the South Stream was largely due to EU’s efforts and sanctions. It shows that Europe doesn’t need additional Russian gas especially in the volume it is proposed, that is, up to 63 billion cubic meters per year. Even a new supposed route of its transportation didn’t change the EU’s position on this issue. This is evident in the statements made immediately after cessation of the South Stream by the representatives of the European countries where it was planned to deliver gas via this route. None of the statements mentioned Russian gas supplies as an option. Given Turkey’s growing role in the international energy market and prospects for its further growth, it is likely that the country will make concessions to the EU in this matter. Taking into account all the technical aspects further strengthens confidence in the infeasibility of Russia’s “gas plans”, with the EU’s stance being a major obstacle to their implementation and about 80 percent of Russian gas in this deal is intended for transport to Europe. However, despite the Western sanctions against Iran, Turkey continues to cooperate with the Islamic Republic and acts as a buyer of gas from this country without regard to the restrictions of Europe and the US on cooperation with Iran’s energy sector. Edited by CN --- Aygun Badalova is Trend Agency’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AygunBadalova Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency

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