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Turkey, Iran boost energy, trade ties despite growing US pressure

05 May 2011 [10:19] - TODAY.AZ
Turkey and Iran have signed three agreements over the past three weeks to boost their relationship in almost all fields amid growing pressure from the United States on Ankara to halt ties with its neighbor.

Energy ministers from both sides announced late Tuesday the completion of what they called a “road map” detailing their investment projects in the energy field.

"It brings us great joy that the road map will be approved and signed by both sides today," Iranian Electricity Minister Macit Namcu told reporters late Tuesday at a joint press conference with Energy Minister Taner Yıldız.

The other two agreements were signed by the foreign and state ministries of both countries. The foreign ministries have agreed to open three more border gates and to create a trilateral mechanism that includes Azerbaijan to increase regional cooperation. State Minister Hayati Yazıcı meanwhile inked a protocol on cooperation in the field of "public administration" that brings about an exchange of public personnel.

The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions against Iran, as have the United States and the European Union. Turkey said it would only obey the U.N.’s sanctions because it does not believe the usefulness of such measures.

The Turkey-Iran road map envisions forming a technical committee that will look into potential investments in both countries and guide private companies. This committee will create the opportunity to set up renewable energy plants and other energy-related facilities in Tehran, Yıldız said.

The road map foresees increasing the 500-megawatt energy-exchange capacity between the two countries to more than 1,000 megawatts, Namcu said. In addition, the plan will allow for investments in setting up heat stations and energy power plants.

"We especially wanted to focus on renewable energy sources," the Iranian minister said.

US critical on Turkey, Iran ties

Turkey’s deepened and diversified economic and energy relations with Iran have sparked further U.S. reaction against Ankara. A senior U.S. official recently voiced concerns about Turkey’s boosted ties with Iran, saying they could encourage the regime in Tehran to continue its controversial nuclear program.

"One of the issues that concerns us is as Turkey is looking to improve its economy, one of the ways to achieve that is to increase its global exports, and exports to Iran, which carries a substantial risk," the official told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Turkey and Iran have declared a common objective of increasing trade volume to $30 billion.

The same official also expressed unease about the newly established Turkey-Iran-Azerbaijan trilateral mechanism, which places regional cooperation at the center of its plans.

"We have a concern about the expansion of commercial and trade relations between Turkey and Iran. We recognize that they [Turkey and Azerbaijan] are neighbors to Iran and there will be some commerce. That being said, as trade grows, so does the opportunity for Iran to abuse [it]," the official said.

Turkey and Iran have failed in recent years to finalize a comprehensive energy draft agreement due to Washington’s pressure on Ankara. Relations between Turkey and the United States have deteriorated since then Ankara distanced itself from Washington over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program.

Turkey firm on expanding ties

Ignoring the U.S. criticisms, Turkish government members have emphasized that Turkey is committed to developing relations with its neighbor.

"Iran and Turkey are both brother and neighboring countries. Iran is the second-largest provider of natural gas to Turkey after the Russian Federation. Of course the energy sector is not only limited to this. There will be other initiatives related to meeting Turkey’s growing needs," Yıldız told reporters, noting that both countries’ economies are growing.

"Iran has one of the largest natural gas and oil reserves in the world,” Yıldız said. “It is thus my opinion that cooperation in different fields could take place related to developing these. Our efforts are a part of this."


/Hurriyet Daily News/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/85637.html

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