Türkiye Will Continue to Play a Key Role in Regional Energy Projects

Mega Projects

The Baku Energy Week began with an opening address by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also participated in the opening ceremony with a message. In his message, President Erdoğan noted that they continue to successfully implement many mega projects—described as a dream for the region—in collaboration with Azerbaijan, and touched on the following points in summary: 

Current Partnerships

Projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and TANAP pipelines remain initiatives that we launched in partnership with Azerbaijan and completed with the contributions of another friendly nation, Georgia. Through our partnership in the Azeri-Çırak-Güneşli and Shah Deniz projects, we see that our cooperation with Azerbaijan has deepened further.

Electricity Connections 

Electricity connections between Türkiye and Azerbaijan continue to hold strategic importance for us. We hope that with the implementation of the green electricity transmission and trade project between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bulgaria, we will contribute to the energy security of our entire region.

Great Opportunities

There are significant opportunities ahead for us to enhance our cooperation regarding the export of Turkmen gas through Azerbaijan and Türkiye. We are witnessing the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline being utilized increasingly to transport Kazakhstan’s natural resources to Western markets.

COP31 Summit

As Türkiye, we have a vision focused on ensuring efficiency and respect for the environment across all dimensions of energy, including renewable and green energy. We will reinforce our determination to be a leading and exemplary country in global climate action through the COP31 summit, which we will host in Antalya from November 9–20 this year.

Türkiye’s Priorities

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who read President Erdoğan’s message at the opening ceremony, also delivered a speech outlining Türkiye’s energy vision. Listing Türkiye’s energy priorities as ensuring supply security, reducing import dependency, supporting economic growth, and achieving the net-zero emissions target by the mid-century, Minister Bayraktar noted that the relationship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan serves as a striking example of how strong bilateral cooperation can create strategic value for the entire region. 

Projects Transforming the Energy Landscape

Minister Bayraktar stated, “Our partnership, built on our shared history and brotherhood, has made significant contributions to Europe’s energy security,” and explained that flagship projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Pipeline, the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, and the STAR Refinery have transformed the regional energy landscape. 

Constructive Efforts

Noting that Türkiye, with its strategic location between East and West, will continue to play the role of a reliable partner, an energy hub, and a key player in regional energy projects, Minister Bayraktar said, “As the host country for COP31 this year, Türkiye is committed to continuing its constructive efforts toward global energy and climate dialogue and contributing to the construction of a more resilient and sustainable energy future,” he said.

33 Billion Cubic Meter Agreement

The strong energy ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan entered a new phase during Baku Energy Week. Along with BOTAŞ, SOCAR, TotalEnergies, and ADNOC signed an agreement to supply a total of 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Türkiye over a 15-year period beginning in 2029. 

Central Country Vision

In a social media statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources regarding the agreement, the following was noted: On the sidelines of the Baku Energy Forum, with the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a new 15-year natural gas supply agreement was signed between our national company BOTAŞ and SOCAR, TotalEnergies, and ADNOC. Under this agreement, a total of 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be supplied to our country starting in 2029 as part of new production investments in the Absheron field. This strategic step, which supports Türkiye’s vision of becoming a central energy hub, will make significant contributions to the energy supply security of our country, our region, and Europe.