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Creating gas hub in Turkey possible if Ankara re-exports Russian gas, says expert

"If Europe refuses to take gas and overall pursues the current policy on Russia, the proposal to create a hub will remain nothing more than just an idea," Necdet Pamir noted

ANKARA, October 28. /TASS/. Russia’s initiative to create an international gas hub on Turkish soil may be implemented if the country's right to re-export Russian gas is recognized, Turkey’s leading energy expert and Ankara’s representative at the World Energy Council Necdet Pamir told TASS on Friday.

"So far Russia’s proposal lacks content. The idea should have details, and it will only be well-founded if Turkey’s right to re-export Russian gas is recognized," he insisted.

Natural gas from Russia flows to Turkey via two pipelines - Blue Stream and TurkStream - the expert noted. "TurkStream is meant to supply gas to Europe. If Europe refuses to take gas and overall pursues the current policy on Russia, the proposal to create a hub will remain nothing more than just an idea. If Russia and Turkey agree on re-exports, the Russian proposal will be reassessed considering other prospects," Pamir, who previously served as head of Turkey’s state-owned pipeline company TPAO, concluded.

Speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed creating Europe largest gas hub in Turkey and redirecting the volume of gas, the transit of which is no longer possible through the Nord Stream, to this hub. It may imply building another gas pipeline system and creating a hub in Turkey, through which gas will be supplied to third countries, primarily European ones, if they are interested, he said. The issue was discussed at the talks between the Russian and Turkish presidents on October 13 in Astana.