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Transcript/Script((FOR USAGM SHARE))
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Turkey Russia Energy (TV)
HEADLINE: Turkey Positions Itself as Key to Ending Europe’s Dependence on Russian Energy
TEASER: Ankara sees a big role in controlling pipelines from new suppliers in Iraq and Israel
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 04/12/2022 at 525 p.m.
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Berke Bas DO NOT USE NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS, AGENCIES
PRODUCER: Rob Raffaele
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL, AFP, REUTERS
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:55
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: DO NOT USE BERKE BAS NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS))
((INTRO))
[[With the European Union pledging to end its dependence on Russian gas, Turkey is positioning itself as a key bridge to alternative energy supplies from other nations. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.]]
((NARRATOR))
Turkey is the meeting point between Europe and the energy-rich Middle East. With its vast infrastructure of gas pipelines already linked to the European gas grid, Turkey believes it can play a crucial role in ending EU dependency on Russian gas.
((RADIO VERSION: Ilnur Cevik is a senior advisor to Turkey’s president.))
((Ilnur Cevik, Senior Presidential Adviser (male in English) ))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom)) ((Note: Zoom video quality in first few seconds not optimum))
“This Ukraine situation has created a serious energy problem for Europe. Maybe the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas flow to Europe through Turkey could be a remedy, could be an alternative to the Russian natural gas. So, these are all interesting issues that the two sides will be discussing.”
((NARRATOR))
In the eastern Mediterranean, Israel has vast, recently discovered gas reserves. Turkey is proposing a pipeline from Israel to link up with the Turkish grid to supply Europe.
Last month's visit to Ankara by the Israeli president included discussions on energy cooperation.
((RADIO VERSION: Mithat Rende is a former Turkish ambassador to Qatar and now an energy industry consultant.))
((Mithat Rende, Fmr. Turkish Ambassador to Qatar (male in English))
“It's an important project to connect Israeli gas and the East Med gas with the Turkish national grid and from the Turkish national grid, or Tanap, to send this gas to Europe. It's not that easy, but it's possible to realize this project if it's considered a joint effort by Turkey, Israel and the European Union.”
((NARRATOR))
Turkish and Israel energy ministers are scheduled to meet in Jerusalem later this month.
But relations between Turkey and Israel have been strained, and doubts remain whether Israel is ready to trust Turkey enough to reach significant energy deals. Washington, meanwhile, strongly supports plans for a Turkish-Israeli gas pipeline, say analysts.
((RADIO VERSION: Gallia Lindenstrauss is an analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies, a research organization in Tel Aviv.))
((Gallia Lindenstrauss, Institute for National Security Studies ( in English))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“With regard again pushing Israel and Turkey together, this is of course, in U.S. interests that pro-Western actors will cooperate in the region. Again, with regard to energy, I am less optimistic that Israeli gas will one day go through Turkey. I think another option like Egypt is more viable option these days.”
((NARRATOR))
Gas from the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region could be another option to supply Europe.
((RADIO VERSION: Aydin Selcen, a former Turkish Consul General in Kurdistan, says arrangements are already in place to facilitate the export of gas from the region.))
((Aydin Selcen, Former Turkish Consul General in Kurdistan (in English))
“Iraqi Kurdistan gas is ready, and the distance is very short from the fields to the Turkish grid. So now is the time, the political will is there, the context is favorable, why not?”
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory cg: Hama Jarga))
Observers see last month's rocket strikes on Erbil, blamed on Iran....
((End Courtesy))
...as a warning by Tehran against the deal.
Baghdad would also need to give its blessings to any agreement, meaning there is still some work to do before any deals are reached to cement the new role that Turkey wants to assume.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsEconomy, Business and Finance
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 12, 2022 17:37 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
