Turkey to increase gas imports from Azerbaijan and Russia

Turkey plans to boost natural gas imports from Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan as winter approaches, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said, according to CNN Türk. He said the country must ensure access to gas for all citizens without restrictions.

Bayraktar noted that state pipeline company BOTAŞ was continuing negotiations on imports and that Ankara was not limited to deals with the United States. Eight new gas supply contracts have been signed this year.

The minister added that Turkey would keep buying Russian gas despite U.S. calls to halt such imports. He also said Europe was taking contradictory steps on Azerbaijani gas supplies, stressing that while Baku was ready to deliver more, additional investment was needed and Europe lacked a unified policy.