Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed his intention to establish a partnership with Turkmenistan in developing oil and gas fields. During the International Conference on Peace and Security Year in Development of Sustainable Development in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar conducted evaluations. According to a statement from the ministry, Bayraktar met with the Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as part of his visit. Bayraktar mentioned that 2025 was declared by the United Nations as “International Year of Peace and Security” upon Turkmenistan’s initiative and emphasized the necessity of increasing partnerships in the energy sector. Pointing out that overcoming challenges depends on establishing long-term partnerships based on mutual trust, Bayraktar stated that Turkey’s energy strategy is shaped by two main challenges. “ENERGY DEMAND WILL INCREASE BY 5% EVERY YEAR” Bayraktar noted that one of these challenges is energy security, stating that Turkey’s energy demand has tripled over the past 20 years and is expected to increase by approximately 5% each year for the next 20 years. Bayraktar mentioned that the second main challenge is energy independence, explaining that Turkey imported all its natural gas until the discovery in the Sakarya Gas Field and 90% of its oil needs are currently met through imports. Bayraktar explained that they have developed a comprehensive energy strategy to overcome these challenges, emphasizing the importance of regional collaborations within this framework. Bayraktar recalled that they took a historic step as of March 1st by importing natural gas from Turkmenistan through a pipeline for the first time. He stated, “This step is not only essential for diversifying our natural gas supply but also crucial for Turkmenistan’s natural gas to reach the west, Europe”. INCREASING ELECTRICITY TRADE IS THE GOAL Minister Bayraktar expressed hopes that in the future, with the construction of the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline, more natural gas could be transferred from Turkmenistan to Turkey and from Turkey to Europe. He further highlighted significant opportunities in the upstream sector that would make this connection more meaningful. Therefore, he mentioned their interest in establishing partnerships with Turkmenistan in the development of oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. Emphasizing Turkey’s aim to increase electricity interconnection and trade with its neighbors, Minister Bayraktar stated: “While strengthening our current connections with Bulgaria and Greece, 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 could reach consumer markets in the future.” “JOINT PROJECTS ARE CRUCIAL” Bayraktar, received separately by Turkmenistan’s People’s Council President Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan President Berdimuhamedov as part of his discussions, also met with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers responsible for Oil and Gas and TurkmenGas President Maksat Babayev to discuss the current state of energy projects developed jointly by the two countries. Bayraktar, in a social media post about his speech, expressed that Turkey is acting with the responsibility of being a regional energy security supporter beyond meeting its own energy needs in the energy field. Stressing the importance of taking concrete steps to enhance cooperation in areas such as natural gas trade and power transmission projects, Bayraktar stated: “In a time of increased global uncertainties, international solidarity and joint projects are crucial. We believe that regional collaborations are not only about economic gains but also about long-term investments that serve peace, stability, and prosperity. In line with this, with a strong political will and a common strategic vision, we will continue to develop our international collaborations for regional development and energy security.”