ANKARA - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Thursday that the flow of the Iranian natural gas continued, adding that ''there are problems from time to time, but these are technical problems.''
Guler met with World Bank's Turkey Director Andrew Vorkink the same day. When a reporter asked if the flow of natural gas from Iran stopped, Guler said that this had happened for few times temporarily, but necessary measures were taken.
Guler stated that there was no problem with Iran at the moment, adding that technical negotiations also started to have a better flow of natural gas with Iran.
Guler remarked that reflection of defects to the consumers was not in question, adding that relations between Turkey and Iran were very good and normal commercial relations continued. Upon another question, Guler said that they worked to protect the rights of Turkish consumers in the best way.
Vorkink said in his part that the negotiations on the 200 million dollars of credit which the World Bank would provide to Turkey on renewable energy sources were completed. He added that he expected World Bank to approve the credit in March, 2004.
Guler stated that they discussed the issues of liberating the energy market including electricity and natural gas in his meeting with Vorking and that they reached compromise about the issue. Guler stated that he explained the things which the government would do as being a government favouring privatization and free market, adding that positive steps were taken about the projects for the future.
Guler said that World Bank would contribute to Turkey in field of renewable energy and the investments which Turkey would make. Vorkink said that the meeting was very positive, adding that they mainly discussed the strategy on privatization of electricity sector.
Vorkink stated that the World Bank would support this strategy, adding that they also discussed the details about natural gas market and distribution network.
(Öª-AÖ) 18.12.2003