'Peace with Energy Diplomacy' Message from Minister Bayraktar

Minister Bayraktar participated in the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum 2026 (BDF'26) organized by the Young Diplomacy Association (GDD) and met with the youth in the panel titled "The Breaking Point of the Global System: Energy Diplomacy". Answering the questions of the young audience, Minister Bayraktar explained Türkiye's studies and goals in the field of energy and natural resources.

Our Priority is to End External Dependence in Energy

Pointing out that providing energy with its own resources has great strategic, geopolitical and economic contributions for countries, Minister Bayraktar said, "Our main priority is to end foreign dependence in energy in Türkiye. As soon as it succeeds in this, Türkiye will become a country with a much stronger economy and a much stronger politically.” said. Minister Bayraktar stated that they aim to reduce the foreign dependence rate, which is currently at 70 percent, below 50 percent in 2035.

A Fairer World Is Also Possible In Energy

Pointing out that developed countries spend more energy, Minister Bayraktar referred to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's words 'The world is bigger than 5' and said, “A fairer world is possible; a fairer world is also possible in energy. The electricity used by sub-Saharan Africa is as much as the electricity used by New York. So, there is a serious injustice here. Currently, about 700 million people in the world still do not have access to electricity. The population of over 2 billion people in the world is currently still using traditional cooking methods. The world needs to find a solution to this injustice," he said.

At An Important Point That Contributes To The Supply Security Of The Turkish Region

Stating that Türkiye has an important geostrategic position, Minister Bayraktar said, "Many pipelines pass through Türkiye or can pass through Türkiye. About 3 percent of the world's oil passes through the straits, so there is a significant sea traffic. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Iraq-Türkiye Pipelines are instrumental in sending a significant amount of oil to the world markets via Ceyhan. Natural gas pipelines serve the supply security of both Türkiye and Europe. In other words, Türkiyris developing projects at an important point that contributes not only to its own supply security, but also to the supply security of its region and the supply security of Europe." said.

Let's Use Energy Diplomacy As A Tool That Can Be Instrumental In Global Peace

Minister Bayraktar said, "We say 'Let's use energy diplomacy as a tool that can be instrumental in global peace, regional peace and ending conflicts'. Otherwise, energy diplomacy or energy, on the contrary, can also be used as a weapon, this is what we are currently experiencing in Hormuz; It is possible to turn energy into a weapon by closing the valve, hitting energy facilities or taking control of the energy transition corridors, but we believe that it is right to use energy as a source of peace and to use it as a source in the resolution of regional conflicts.

Official Gabar Of Türkiye Without Terror

Speaking about the oil production in Gabar, Minister Bayraktar said, "Gabar has become even more meaningful, especially these days. Türkiye is talking about terror free Türkiye. We have taken a very important step in this regard in the Parliament, with great participation and great support. Gabar is a picture where we show what can happen at the point where our entire region is free from terrorism and succeeds in the fight against terrorism. Gabar was a place known for years with terror. Now more than 3 thousand 500 of our young brothers work in those fields. Of course, the oil finding side is very important, but mainly in terms of touching the social fabric there, the lives of young people, touching the lives of families, Gabar is one of our eye-catching projects." said.

First Production in Akkuyu

Stating that Türkiye's 70-year-old dream has come true with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Minister Bayraktar said, "Türkiye is currently building 4 reactors in Akkuyu at the same time and I hope we will start producing electricity in the first reactor in the next few months."

Türkiye Will Have a Say in Nuclear

Pointing out that small modular reactors came to the fore in the second period of nuclear energy, Minister Bayraktar said, "We want to make Türkiye a country that can use its own technology in nuclear, in this new era, and make its own source. I think Türkiye's engineering power will be enough for this. Very serious studies are currently being done on this subject. At the beginning of September, we are organizing a nuclear technology competition with TEKNOFEST in Çekmece, where our nuclear research reactor is located. We will do the third one this year. I hope Türkiye will be a country with a say in this field," he said.

Production Will Double in the Black Sea

Pointing out that the domestic natural gas production in the Black Sea will double by the end of the year, Minister Bayraktar said, "Osman Gazi Floating Production Platform will go to its location in the Black Sea in a few weeks. It will double this production in that place," he said. Minister Bayraktar also gave advice to young people.