Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar expressed his desire to establish a partnership with Turkmenistan for the development of oil and gas fields. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar made evaluations at the International Conference on Regional Economic Cooperation for Achieving Sustainable Development in Peace and Security Year held in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. According to a statement from the ministry, Bayraktar met with Turkmenistan’s People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during his visit. Bayraktar mentioned that 2025 was declared by the United Nations as the “International Year of Peace and Security” at Turkmenistan’s initiative and emphasized the necessity of increasing partnerships in the energy sector. Bayraktar noted that overcoming the challenges relies on establishing long-term partnerships based on mutual trust, outlining that Turkey’s energy strategy is shaped around two main challenges. “ENERGY DEMAND TO INCREASE BY 5% EACH YEAR” Bayraktar stated that one of these challenges is energy security, indicating that Turkey’s energy demand has tripled in the last 20 years and is projected to increase by approximately 5% each year for the next 20 years. Bayraktar pointed out that the second fundamental challenge is energy independence, revealing that Turkey imported all its natural gas until the discovery in the Sakarya Gas Field and currently 90% of its oil needs are met through imports. Bayraktar explained that to overcome these challenges, they have developed a comprehensive energy strategy, highlighting that regional partnerships play a significant role. Bayraktar recalled that as of March 1, they had taken a historic step by importing natural gas from Turkmenistan through a pipeline, stating, “For the first time, we are receiving natural gas via a pipeline from a neighboring country. This step is crucial not only for diversifying our natural gas supply but also for Turkmenistan’s natural gas reaching the west, Europe.” “INCREASING ELECTRICITY TRADE IS AIMED” Minister Bayraktar expressed hope that with the construction of the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline in the future, more natural gas could be transferred from Turkmenistan to Turkey and from Turkey to Europe. He also mentioned significant opportunities in the upstream sector that would make this connection more meaningful. Therefore, Bayraktar stated his intention to establish a partnership with Turkmenistan for the development of oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. Underlining Turkey’s aim to increase electricity interconnections and electricity trade with neighboring countries, such as Bulgaria and Greece, Bayraktar said, “We are developing projects to increase electricity trade with countries like Georgia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Syria. By providing 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 be delivered to consumer markets in the future.” “JOINT PROJECTS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT” Bayraktar was separately received by Turkmenistan’s People’s Council Chairman Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan’s President Berdimuhamedov during his visits. Minister Bayraktar also met with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Oil and Gas Batir Amanov and Turkmenistan’s Turkmengaz CEO Maksat Babayev to discuss the current status of energy projects developed jointly by the two countries. Bayraktar, in a social media post regarding his speech, stated that Turkey, beyond being a country meeting only its energy needs, acts as a responsible actor supporting regional energy security and supply diversification. Emphasizing the importance of taking concrete steps to strengthen cooperation in areas like natural gas trade and electricity transmission projects, Bayraktar said, “In a period of increasing global uncertainties, international solidarity and joint projects are of vital importance. We believe that regional collaborations are not only about economic gain but also about long-term investments serving peace, stability, and prosperity. In line with this, with a strong political will and a common strategic vision, we will continue to enhance our international collaborations for regional development and energy security.”