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Ankara
(Reuters)
Turkeys Energy Ministry has received a letter from Syria expressing
interest in receiving Iranian natural gas
via Turkish pipelines, it said on Monday.
Syria aims to buy 2 billion to 3 billion
cubic meters of Iranian gas annually, a
senior ministry official told Reuters,
adding that officials from the three
countries may meet in the next few days to
discuss the issue.
�When other energy projects are also taken
into account, Turkey is growing stronger in
the region (as a transit country),� the
official said.
Turkey is examining with Russia, its main
gas supplier, the possibility of extending
the Blue Stream pipeline to Israel. Turkey
is also central to a $5.8 billion pipeline
that would pump Central Asian gas to Austria
via the Balkans.
Other pipelines across Turkish territory are
planned.
An official from Botas, which runs Turkey�s
gas pipelines, said Syria could receive the
gas via a planned pipeline that will link
Nevsehir in central Turkey and Kilis, a town
near the Turkish-Syrian border.
�In this situation, there would not be any
need for the construction of a new and
expensive pipeline... Syria�s needs for 2-3
billion cubic meters could easily be met
with this pipeline,� the official said. The
Botas official said Syria�s integration into
the pipeline system would boost Turkey�s
role in the region.
�With this project Iran, Syria and Turkey
will be working together in the energy
field... This would also contribute to
solution of problems we have faced until now
with Iran over the quality and quantity of
natural gas,� he said. �(This is) because
Syria will move with and back up Turkey in
talks with Iran |
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