Turkiye offers Europe help to replace Russian gas
Ankara has launched diplomatic efforts to restart energy negotiations with the European Union, aiming to become a primary supplier of natural gas as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian sources.
In an interview with Politico, Faruk Kaymakcı, Turkiye's ambassador to the EU, emphasized that energy cooperation will be a key focus in Turkiye's efforts to improve relations with the EU. Discussions will also cover trade and political collaboration regarding conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
"We have the Southern Gas Corridor. We have 18 billion cubic meters of gas, coming mainly from Azerbaijan — and we can easily expand this, connecting it to Mediterranean gas. Our role is there, our potential is there," Kaymakcı stated.
However, high-level talks between Turkiye and the EU regarding energy cooperation were suspended in 2019 due to a dispute between Ankara and Cyprus over gas extraction rights in the Mediterranean.
The TurkStream pipeline is a strategically important route for supplying Russian gas to Turkiye and countries in Southern and Southeastern Europe. In 2024, gas transportation through this pipeline increased by 23%, reaching 16.7 billion cubic meters. The pipeline's total capacity is 31.5 billion cubic meters annually. One branch of the TurkStream is designated for Turkiye's domestic needs, while the other facilitates gas transit to Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary.
With the cessation of transit through Ukraine from 2025, the TurkStream will be the only route for gas supplies to the EU. However, Gazprom's exports to Europe have already decreased by more than 80% compared to 2021.
In 2024, the company exported only 32 billion cubic meters of gas, similar to levels seen in the late 1970s. Russian Gazprom is actively shifting its focus to Turkiye due to worsening conditions in the European Union.
