EU eyes creation of energy partnership with Turkey

The European Commission (EC) said it intends to establish an energy policy partnership with Turkey, Anadolu Agency reported. A stronger and more united EU can engage more constructively with its partners, to their mutual benefit, EC’s statement said.

The body announced the Energy Union Package in Brussels on February 25, which calls for greater coordination between its member states to enable a free flow of energy across borders and a secure supply for EU citizens. In addition, it aims to reduce its energy dependency on external states with specific reference to Russia, the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe.

As part of a revitalized European energy and climate diplomacy, the EU will use all its foreign policy instruments to establish strategic energy partnerships with increasingly important producing and transit countries or regions such as Algeria and Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the Middle East, Africa and other potential suppliers, the statement said.