Turkey, Iran Start Talks on ITE Pipeline

Turkey has started talks with Iran with a view to striking a deal for the construction of a gas pipeline that would carry natural gas from Iran to Europe via Turkey.

Turkey’s planned Iran-Turkey-Europe (ITE) natural gas pipeline project would be 5,000 kilometers long, Iran’s SHANA news agency reported.

The pipeline would be stretching from Iran to the Turkey’s border with Greece.

Turkey has concluded feasibility studies on the pipeline project.

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said natural gas purchase from Iran was a key topic in Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Iran.

Erdogan paid an official visit to Iran last month and held talks with Iranian officials on the enhancement of trade and energy ties.

During his two-day visit, the Turkish premier called for closer economic relations between Tehran and Ankara, stressing that his country is in need of Iran’s energy resources, including natural gas.

Yildiz also said that Turkey will continue to import oil and gas from Iran.

“Turkey imports part of its energy demands from Iran and it will continue to import oil and gas from the country,” Yildiz added.

Press Release, February 17, 2014; Image: ITE