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Turkey defends energy ties with Iran, Russia

DUBAI: Countering American pressure, Turkey has defended its growing energy ties with Iran and Russia.

“Russia and Iran are Turkey’s most important sources in terms of natural gas,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters before emplaning for the United States.

Mr. Erdogan said Turkey’s natural gas demand was increasing because of domestic industrial growth and the growing requirements for heating. “It is impossible for us to say, we are cutting natural gas cooperation with these countries.”

Mr. Erodgan was responding to comments made in Ankara by U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns. Mr. Burns had said U.S. allies should consider imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

Following up on Mr. Erdogan’s remarks, Turkey’s Energy Minister Hilmi Guler has said he would meet his Iranian counterpart next month to sign a major energy deal. Turkey and Iran signed a preliminary agreement on July 24, which revolved around the construction of two pipelines. The first pipeline would originate from Iran’s South Pars gas field and second from Turkmenistan, Iran’s Central Asian neighbour. Analysts say Turkey can use part of this gas for its own consumption. The rest can be transferred further into Europe along the upcoming Nabucco pipeline.

The tie up is taking place despite growing military tensions surrounding Iran. The Americans have reportedly decided to deploy three aircraft carriers facing Iran. The Iranians, on their part, on Saturday demonstrated their military strength. At a military parade marking the beginning of the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranians flew the Saqeh fighter jet — an indigenously developed plane which Iranians say is similar to the U.S. F-18. Iran also showcased the upgraded Shahab-3 missile, claiming that this solid fuelled weapon had a range of around 1,800 km.

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