Russia, Turkiye start discussing gas hub security issues

Russia and Turkiye are discussing delicate issues of gas hub security at the expert level, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said in an interview with TASS, Report informs.

“The result of joint efforts was the initiative of [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to create a gas hub in Turkiye. At present, various aspects of the implementation of this idea, including delicate ones, are being discussed at the expert level. We perceive with satisfaction the enthusiasm of Turkish partners, their constructive approach to close joint work,” he said, answering a relevant question in the light of the explosions at Nord Stream.

Syromolotov also expressed confidence that by joint efforts Moscow and Ankara will be able to ‘successfully resolve all emerging issues, including ensuring the security of existing and future energy facilities.’

He called energy one of the most successful areas of Russian-Turkish cooperation. “Ankara’s mood for further qualitative deepening of ties in this area is due to the positive experience of bilateral cooperation in the construction of the Blue Stream and Turkish Stream gas pipelines, and Russia’s reliability as a supplier of blue fuel,” he said.

On January 27, Turkish Minister of Energy Fatih Donmez said that Ankara plans to start operating the gas hub within a year.