MOSCOW (AA) - Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler has stated that Turkey wishes to construct the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline to ease the heavy traffic in the Turkish straits.
In a press conference in Moscow, Guler said that the Turkish delegation discussed issues on energy, trade and tourism with the Russians. ''To this day, our trade with Russia involved oil and natural gas. Actually we are working to include electric energy to those items,'' told Guler.
According to Guler, the possibility of extending the Blue Stream (gas pipeline) project to the south has come up in discussions. ''We are facing two alternatives: We may establish LNG terminals and sell liquid gas to third parties or sell natural gas to Israel via pipeline under the sea,'' remarked Guler. He added that natural gas from Russia may be stocked in storage areas beneath the Turkish Salt Lake.
During his talks, Guler has been offered cooperation from Russia regarding the privatization of facilities, including natural gas, coal and hydroelectric plants. ''The issue of electricity came up in our meetings. By constructing a cable-line under the Black Sea, we may trade electricity with the Russians,'' indicated Guler.
Guler also indicated that his government is trying to find alternative routes to carry oil. ''To ease the tanker traffic in our straits, we hope to construct the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Then, we will construct an oil refinery in Ceyhan and this city will become a center of oil and natural gas,'' stressed Guler.
(ES-ULG)
2005-01-12