Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 2
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The Turkish Stream implementation and a discount on Russian gas have been one of the contentious issues between Ankara and Moscow for a long time.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak stated Oct. 2 that a new discount on gas for Turkey could be considered simultaneously with the implementation of infrastructure projects and an increase in the natural gas supply volumes.
Novak also noted that an intergovernmental agreement on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project must be elaborated, adding that the final agreement will be made following the formation of the Turkish new government.
"We have not stopped the negotiations on Turkish Stream," he said. "We exchanged the texts of the intergovernmental agreement on the gas pipeline construction. This text must be elaborated and mutual compromises must be approved."
A compromise for Turkey in this issue is to establish a joint gas distribution network with Russia. Turkey depends on energy resources. It seems that Russia does not intend to make a compromise knowing Turkey's Achilles' heel.
If we take into account Novak's statement over a discount on Russian gas and the previous discount made to the private sector of Turkey, supplying Russian gas to the countries, one can say that this statement may be considered as Russia's "gas" blackmail.
Earlier, Turkey has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to increase the Russian gas supplies to the country.
If the parties are unable to agree, Ankara will appeal to an arbitration court to resolve this problem.
With all this in mind, Moscow still hopes to discuss construction of the Turkish Stream with Turkey after the parliamentary election.
But the fact is that Turkey doesn't trust Russia as it did before.
The military operations conducted by Russia in Syria in support of the Syrian authorities are the reason for this.
On Oct.1, a source in the Turkish presidential administration, commenting on the ongoing military operations in Syria said that Ankara is concerned about Russia's decision on the use of the armed forces of the country abroad.
"Russia's decision can lead to an aggravation of the situation in Syria," the source said, noting that Turkey closely follows the developments in Syria after this decision of the Russian Federation.
Regarding the Turkish-Russian projects, as well as the Turkish Stream, a source said that such projects as Akkuyu nuclear power plant will be continued but, given all that, Ankara is not going to discuss the Turkish Stream even after the parliamentary election.
Double standards of Russia towards Turkey and actions which are contrary to the policy of Ankara in the region have led to the fact that it won't be easy to restore the former relations.
Edited by CN
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Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
