Turkey and Turkmenistan have signed a key agreement to facilitate the flow of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, marking a significant step in energy cooperation between the two nations. The deal, announced by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Tuesday and reported by Reuters, aims to bolster Turkey’s energy security while deepening bilateral ties.
The agreement, signed between Turkey’s state-owned pipeline operator BOTAŞ and Turkmenistan’s Turkmengaz, will see the first gas deliveries begin on March 1. The move is part of Turkey’s broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on existing suppliers.
Turkey, which consumes over 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually, currently sources its supply from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran via pipelines, alongside liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from various suppliers. The new deal with Turkmenistan is expected to further strengthen the country’s energy security.
“With this agreement, which we have been working on for many years, we will further advance strategic cooperation between our countries while ensuring greater energy security for our nation and the region,” Bayraktar stated.
Bayraktar previously indicated that Turkey could import up to 2 bcm of gas annually from Turkmenistan, with transportation expected via Iran’s existing natural gas network. However, the specific details regarding gas volumes and transit terms through Iran were not disclosed.
This agreement also comes amid ongoing discussions about a long-term Caspian Sea pipeline project, which could connect Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and ultimately supply gas to Turkey and European markets. While still in the planning phase, such a project could significantly reshape regional energy dynamics.
The deal highlights Turkey’s ambition to position itself as a key energy transit hub, while Turkmenistan seeks to expand its gas exports beyond traditional markets such as China. With energy security becoming a top geopolitical priority, this agreement signals a new chapter in Turkey-Turkmenistan relations and broader regional cooperation.
