Turkish Stream is still interesting for Ankara

The Turkish Stream gas pipeline project is in the interests of both Turkey and Russia, says Agnia Grigas, a researcher at the Atlantic Council in Turkey. “Energy consumption in Turkey is growing and Russia provides more than half of Turkey's gas imports. At the same time, naturally, Ankara is interested in continuing the discussion of the implementation of this gas pipeline project, which offers a direct gas route from Russia to Turkey, ”Grigas said.

Tugay Tuncer, deputy chief of the Turkish diplomatic mission to the United States, said this week that Turkey is ready to hold talks with Russia to strengthen plans to build the Turkish Gas Stream pipeline. “We consider Turkish Stream to be a commercial deal. If the Russians want to negotiate, then we can come to a mutually beneficial solution, ”said Tuncer.

Under ideal conditions, Russia would also like to see the implementation of this gas project, according to Grigas. “Turkey is the second largest European market for Russian gas exports and its needs are growing, while demand for Russian gas in other European countries is slowing down, and frankly, even decreasing,” notes Grigas.

The Turkish Stream project, which involved the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey along the bottom of the Black Sea, was put on hold by Russia on December 3, 2015, negotiations on the project were halted as a result of the deterioration of Russian-Turkish relations after Turkey shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber. ...