ISTANBUL, March 13 (A.A) - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan left for Italy on Wednesday to attend ''Southeastern Europe Energy Forum'' meeting.
Cakan will address panel discussions entitled, ''Energy Infrastructure Among Countries in Southeastern Europe'', and ''Investments in Balkan Energy Complex''.
Cakan issued a written statement before his departure and said during the forum in Milano, he would have the opportunity to convey Turkey's projects carried out in natural gas and interconnection of electricity systems.
Cakan said Turkey continued its works on ''Southeastern Europe Gas Ring Project'' which will transport the natural gas, that will come from the Caspian Basin and other international resources, to Europe via Greece and Italy to contribute to the efforts to meet the gas need in Europe in the coming years.
''Works are launched between Turkey and Greece for the construction of a natural gas pipeline within this scope. Turkish and Greek natural gas companies BOTAS and DEPA carry out feasibility works regarded with the interconnection of gas systems between the two countries. Following the completion of works, an intergovernmental agreement will be signed and fundamental engineering works will start,'' Cakan said.
Cakan pointed out that Turkey adopted improvement of regional cooperation on electricity energy, adding that, ''in addition to the exiting line between Turkey and Bulgaria, a second tranmission line is expected to be completed by the end of April. Turkey's preference among the existing opportunities is to be included in Western Europe Electricity System via Southeastern Europe and to be a member of European Electricity Transmission Union.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cakan is expected to return to Turkey on March 16.