Turkish hub should unite gas flows from Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan — expert
Speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed creating the largest gas hub in Europe in Turkey and redirecting the volume of gas, the transit of which is no longer possible through the Nord Stream, to this hub
ANKARA, October 17. /TASS/. Creation of the international gas hub in Turkey will be profitable if it is used not only to supply Russian gas to Europe but also gas from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Ugur Yasin Asal, Head of Political Science and International Relations Department at Istanbul Commerce University, said in an interview with the Milliet newspaper on Monday.
"Europe's need for gas in the medium and long-term is obvious. Building a [distribution] center in Turkey just for the sake of Russian gas will not be enough. It should be a strategic priority for Turkey to combine the gas that comes from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in this hub and send their joint supplies to Europe. Europe needs this and is looking for alternative gas routes," the expert said.
Speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed creating the largest gas hub in Europe in Turkey and redirecting the volume of gas, the transit of which is no longer possible through the Nord Stream, to this hub. According to him, 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.
The creation of a gas hub in Turkey was discussed on October 13 in Astana at talks between the Russian and Turkish presidents. According to Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan, the hub should be established as soon as possible and the most suitable place for it is the Thrace region in the European part of Turkey.