ANKARA - Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will pay a visit to Turkey between September 2 and 3, will discuss cooperation in energy area and search of new markets, sources said on Tuesday.
Officials said that Russian Gazprom company, which exerts efforts to undertake a larger share in market besides selling natural gas to Turkey, pursues negotiations in Turkey.
A delegation from Gazprom is trying to determine with Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corp. (BOTAS) the topics which will take place in the agreement that is expected to be signed during Putin's visit for encouragement of mutual investments and bilateral cooperation.
Gazprom wants to take part in distribution of natural gas in Turkey and it applied for natural gas distribution tender in western Izmir province.
Gazprom wants to be active in all areas of Turkish natural gas market. Sources said that Gazprom was told that there is a liberal market in Turkey and it can pursue activities in competition milieu.
Gazprom also wants to have joint investments in Turkey and take part in construction of pipe lines. It makes 60 percent of gas production of Russia which meets 30 percent of world's natural gas production. Gazprom is searching for the ways of transferring its huge natural gas reserve to markets.
Russia, which searches for an appropriate and stable way to present its large natural gas and oil reserves to the market, has started to consider Turkey a good partner and market.
The environmental problems in Straits, which has become the existing crude oil route, make it difficult for Russia to transfer more oil to international markets. Thus, Russia tries to find an easier way for transfer of its oil and natural gas. Russia considers to use Turkey, which is one the most stable countries in the region, as a base.
(GC-AÖ) 31.08.2004