23-11-07

Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Guler underlined the need for continued Iran-Turkey energy cooperation.
Speaking in a conference on the country's energy strategy, energy security and regional developments at the Centre of Strategic Research of Eurasia, he said energy cooperation with the country's neighbours is underway in accordance with a defined schedule. He added that his country needs natural gas and electricity and the Turkish authorities hold talks with energy rich states with a view to the country's future energy consumption pattern.

On a letter of understanding signed between Iran and Turkey on gas supply, Guler said Europe needs Iran's gas and the latter's gas is to be transferred to Europe via Turkey. He said Turkey has asked Iran to let Turkmenistan gas reach Turkey via Iran while Turkey will become a transit point for Iran's gas to supply European markets.
The Turkish minister said that Europe attaches great importance to Iran's gas within their project of diversification of energy sources for providing further energy security.

Referring to efforts to revive the Nabucco gas pipe project, Guler said this line would be able to convey gas from Iran, Azerbaijan Republic, Turkmenistan, and Russia. The Nabucco pipeline is a planned natural gas pipeline that will transport natural gas from Turkey to Austria, via Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. It will run from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten, a major natural gas hub in Austria.
Nabucco could bring gas supplies from Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Egypt and Syria. It will be connected near Erzurum with the Tabriz-Erzurum pipeline, and with the South Caucasus Pipeline, connecting Nabucco Pipeline with the planned Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline. The total length pf the pipeline will be 3,300 km (2,050 miles).

Source: www2.irna.ir