Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar expressed his desire to establish a partnership with Turkmenistan in developing oil and gas fields. During the Peace and Security Year Conference for Sustainable Development in Regional Economic Cooperation in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar shared his insights. According to a statement from the ministry, Bayraktar met with Turkmenistan People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during his visit. Highlighting that 2025 was declared by the United Nations as “International Year of Peace and Security” by Turkmenistan’s initiative, Bayraktar emphasized the importance of increasing collaborations in the energy sector. Bayraktar mentioned that overcoming challenges requires establishing long-term partnerships based on mutual trust, informing that Turkey’s energy strategy is shaped around two main challenges. “ENERGY DEMAND WILL INCREASE BY 5% EVERY YEAR” One of these challenges, as Bayraktar noted, is energy security, with Turkey’s energy demand having tripled in the past 20 years and is expected to increase by approximately 5% each year for the next 20 years. Bayraktar stated that the second fundamental challenge is energy independence, pointing out that Turkey imports all its natural gas until the discovery in the Sakarya Gas Field, and today meets 90% of its petroleum needs through imports. Describing the comprehensive energy strategy developed to overcome these challenges, Bayraktar highlighted the importance of regional collaborations within this framework. Bayraktar recalled that on March 1, they took a historic step by importing natural gas from Turkmenistan, stating, “For the first time, we are receiving gas from a country that is not our neighboring country through a pipeline. This step is crucial not only for diversifying our gas supply but also for ensuring that Turkmenistan’s gas reaches the West, Europe.” AIMING TO INCREASE ELECTRICITY TRADE Minister Bayraktar expressed hope that with the construction of the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline in the future, more natural gas can be transferred from Turkmenistan to Turkey and, through Turkey, to Europe, saying, “At the same time, there are significant opportunities in the upstream sector that will make this connection more meaningful. Therefore, we also want to establish a partnership with Turkmenistan on developing oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea.” Emphasizing Turkey’s goal of increasing electricity interconnection and trade with its neighbors, Bayraktar stated, “While strengthening our existing connections with Bulgaria and Greece, we are developing projects to enhance electricity trade with countries such as Georgia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Syria. By supplying electricity to Syria, we contribute to rebuilding normal life in that country. With the construction of the Trans-Caspian Electricity Line, Turkmenistan’s electricity can also reach consumer markets in the future.” “JOINT PROJECTS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT” During his meetings, Minister Bayraktar was separately received by Turkmenistan People’s Council Chairman Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan President Berdimuhamedov. Meeting with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers responsible for Oil and Gas Batyr Amanov and Turkmenistan’s Türkmengaz President Maksat Babayev, Minister Bayraktar discussed the current status of joint energy projects developed by the two countries. Bayraktar, in a social media post regarding his speech, stated that Turkey moves as an actor supporting regional energy security and supply diversity beyond being a country that only meets its own energy needs in the energy sector. Bayraktar emphasized the importance of taking concrete steps to strengthen cooperation in areas such as natural gas trade and electricity transmission projects whenever possible, stating, “In a period of increasing global uncertainties, international solidarity and joint projects are of vital importance. We believe that regional collaborations are not only for economic gain but also serve as long-term investments in peace, stability, and prosperity. In this regard, with a strong political will and a shared strategic vision, we will continue to enhance our international collaborations for regional development and energy security.”