Sanctions Reaction for Turkey’s Energy Security: “Target Turkey”
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar made remarkable statements on the US sanctions against Gazprombank and Turkey’s energy supply security. Bayraktar stated that the US sanctions policies target Turkey instead of Russia and emphasized the importance of energy supply as we enter the winter months. In his remarks to journalists, Bayraktar said that ensuring Turkey’s energy security is a top priority.
“Gas Prombank Sanctions Affect Turkey”
Minister Bayraktar drew attention to the direct impact of the sanctions against Gazprombank on Turkey. “If we cannot pay, we cannot buy gas. This directly threatens our energy supply security,” Bayraktar said, adding that a possible disruption in Turkey’s natural gas supply would negatively affect industry and the public. Recalling that Turkey was supported during the Iran sanctions in the past by being granted an exemption, Bayraktar demanded a similar exemption.
“If this exemption is not granted, the target here is not Russia, but Turkey,” he said, clearly expressing the pressure that the US sanctions would put on Turkey.
“Embargoes are Hard to Lift”
Bayraktar criticized the US sanctions policies, saying that embargoes can be imposed overnight but take a long time to lift. “My priority is to bring gas to my country. The internal political issues of the US do not concern me,” Bayraktar said, adding that energy security should be kept out of political debates.
The Importance of Domestic Energy Resources
Bayraktar said that domestic energy resources should play a bigger role in Turkey’s energy policies. “In an environment where natural gas prices are rising, we should increase our domestic coal production and our contribution to energy,” he said, noting the importance of increasing electricity production from domestic coal.
Referring to the privatization of Çayırhan Thermal Power Plant, Minister Bayraktar stated that the plant should be made more efficient and the rights of employees should be protected. “With the right privatization, we can operate Çayırhan more actively. We must make the best use of our domestic resources,” he said.
Turkey’s Determination
Bayraktar’s statements once again demonstrated Turkey’s determination in its energy policies. Taking a strong stance against US sanctions and external pressures in the energy sector, Turkey aims to ensure energy supply security by utilizing its domestic resources more effectively.
Future Strategies
Minister Bayraktar stated that Turkey will accelerate its steps towards energy independence and that they are developing policies that will both increase the use of domestic resources and ensure continuity in foreign energy supply.
