Turkey's Role in Europe's Energy Supply: A Balancing Act
“We have the Southern Gas Corridor,” remarked Faruk Kaymakcı, Turkey's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. “We are currently supplying 18 billion cubic meters of gas, mainly from Azerbaijan — and we have the capacity to extend this further, potentially connecting it to Mediterranean gas resources. Our role is clear, and our potential is immense.”
While Turkey positions itself as a critical energy partner for Europe, high-level discussions on energy trade between Ankara and the EU have been on hold since 2019. This suspension stems from a dispute over gas drilling rights in the Mediterranean, specifically between Turkey and Cyprus, an EU member state.
According to a European Council statement, Turkish companies were attempting to extract fossil fuels from what Cyprus claims as its territorial waters. Cyprus and Greece have long sought to exploit the lucrative natural gas resources in the region but have faced strong opposition from Turkey.
“Despite the significant potential for cooperation, the EU-Turkey energy dialogue remains frozen due to decisions made in 2019,” Kaymakcı noted. “This is what I would call a lose-lose situation. Turkey is one of the few major energy arteries for Europe — the choice to use that potential or not rests with the EU.”
Kaymakcı pointed out that Cyprus is the primary roadblock preventing the resumption of energy talks. “Perhaps they don’t feel the urgency for additional energy with their sunny Mediterranean climate,” he quipped. “But for the majority of EU members, greater energy supplies and diversification are essential. It's a conversation that will inevitably resurface.”
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Strategic Energy Interests in Play
In addition to facilitating the transit of Azerbaijani gas through its territory, Turkey is also developing its domestic energy reserves and serves as a key transit hub for Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea. With the expiration of the Kremlin’s gas transit agreement with Ukraine on January 1, the TurkStream pipeline remains Moscow’s sole remaining route for transporting natural gas to Europe.
This dynamic underscores Turkey’s central role in Europe’s broader energy strategy. Balancing energy security, geopolitical disputes, and economic interests, Turkey continues to position itself as an indispensable player in the region’s energy landscape. Whether the EU will reconsider its stance and re-engage with Turkey could significantly shape Europe’s energy future in the years to come.
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