Turkish Forum

Category: Southern Caucasus

  • Armenia to Supply Electricity to Turkey

    Armenia to Supply Electricity to Turkey

     

     

     

     

     

    By Ruben Meloyan

    A senior government official has confirmed that Armenia will start exporting electricity to neighboring Turkey by the end of this year.

    Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisian told RFE/RL on Thursday that an agreement on that had been reached “at the high level” and that he expects no “political obstacles” to the project that he says will be of a long-term nature.

    The announcement of the deal came days after the first-ever visit of a Turkish head of state to Armenia. While in Yerevan last Saturday Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian discussed possibilities of normalizing bilateral ties between the two countries with historically strained relations.

    Representatives of the UNIT Company engaged in importation and distribution of high-voltage electricity in Turkey also reportedly attended the visit of President Gul to Yerevan.

    Minister Movsisian said Armenia’s energy infrastructure is mostly ready to start supplying electricity to Turkey but added that some work still needs to be done by the Turkish party before the deliveries can begin.

    “The lines on our side are mainly ready. We only have to do an overall check. The Turkish party has asked for four months to complete their part of the work, after which we will start electricity supplies for a few days experimentally and then on a regular basis,” Movsisian said, adding that electricity supplies are expected to be on a year-round basis rather than have a seasonal nature.

    “It is a long-term and quite a serious program,” Movsisian said. “I can not say what part of Turkey will the imported electricity be used for, but since Turkey experiences a shortage of electricity, the volume of supply will be quite sizable, and I think it will tremendously ease their problems.”

    According to Movsisian, the price of supplied electricity will be economically effective and will depend on thermal energy and gas prices. According to current estimates, it may make 5.7 cents per kilowatt.

    Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Director-General Gagik Markosian also considers the deal to be lucrative.

    “I think it is very lucrative as an energy project. As all know, Armenia has a lot of untapped capacities and this potential that we have is not being used either,” Markosian said. “We have stations, specialists, personnel. And in all cases, exporting electricity is a very profitable deal for Armenia.”

    The nuclear station in Metsamor currently produces an average of 2.5 billion kilowatt per hour of electricity a year, according to its head manager.

    Markosian says the preliminarily agreed volume of annual electric power supplies to Turkey estimated at 1.5 billion kilowatt/hour with a possibility to grow up to 3.5 billion is a “very serious figure.”

  • Nabucco Gets A Boost In Baku

    Nabucco Gets A Boost In Baku

    September 10, 2008
    By Bruce Pannier

     

    Turkey’s Hilmi Guler (left) says his country backs Nabucco.

    Western hopes for Caspian gas that doesn’t arrive via Russia are alive and well.

    The future of the Nabucco natural-gas pipeline project have appeared to be in serious jeopardy since war broke out between Russia and Georgia.

    Some export routes leading to the planned pipeline would run through Georgia, where Russian forces remain entrenched in unilaterally declared buffer zones nearly a month after an EU-brokered cease-fire.

    Of course, Nabucco’s viability also hinges to some extent on gas supplies from Caspian countries Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, all of whom have been courted by Russia’s Gazprom, which recently offered to purchase all of the three countries’ gas.

    But at a “strategic-cooperation conference” in Baku this week, there was broad support for participation in the Nabucco project.

    “Azerbaijan is not giving up on the Nabucco project,” Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev vowed. “This is a project that has a future.”

    Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler also seized on the opportunity to pledge his country’s support for Nabucco. “Nabucco will work. We will implement it,” he said. “The Nabucco project will strengthen not only Turkey’s energy security, but Europe’s too. No one should doubt it.”

    The Nabucco plan calls for a 3,300-kilometer pipeline that will transport 31 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe every year once it is fully operational.

    Crucially for Western backers like the European Union and the United States, Nabucco’s route avoids both Russian and Iranian territory entirely.

    Importance Of Diversity

    “The cooperation between these two countries [Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan] and others such as Kazakhstan to create a diversity of export possibilities helps ensure each country’s independence and economic strength,” said U.S. special representative to the EU Boyden Gray, who was at the Baku conference.

    “In addition, there is strength in numbers and in cooperation. These countries in this region are stronger and more influential acting in concert than individually,” he added. “This is especially the case given the closed nature of the Caspian. If they are united on energy issues, these countries can better promote diversification and competition for their exports and, also, over the long haul promote the diversification of their economies through expanded regional and world trade.”

    Gray noted that the United States will not benefit directly from Nabucco but that Washington hoped “that the [Caspian] region and Europe both benefit and that we, as a trading nation, will also indirectly benefit and we very much want for [Europe] to have a strong independent existence to promote your own economies to their fullest potential.”

    Despite having no “direct” interest in the Nabucco project, the United States has been engaged in substantial lobbying for the project in the Caspian region. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was in Azerbaijan last week to promote diversification of energy export routes.

    The Nabucco pipeline itself would start from the Georgian-Turkish and/or Turkish-Iranian borders and run to Austria. Nabucco project head Reinhard Mitschek told RFE/RL earlier this year that Nabucco does not contract for gas supplies, it is only an energy import route for Europe. It is up to shareholders in the project and other companies to arrange the purchase of gas and feed it into the Nabucco pipeline.

    But without gas from Caspian countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan it could be difficult to fill the pipeline, so the participation of those countries in Nabucco is vital.

    Enough Gas?

    The progress in Baku does not yet mean that Nabucco’s problems are all settled. Charles Esser, an energy analyst with the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, points out that Azerbaijan’s participation alone does not remove all the obstacles to Nabucco.

    “The Azeri minister was tentative in his support because he said certainly Nabucco is still on track, he said, though, that ‘we in Azerbaijan don’t have enough gas to, by ourselves, supply [Nabucco] so it will require other sources.’ [Without other sources] he was doubtful that [Nabucco] would happen,” Esser says.

    Turkmen officials at the Baku conference have not yet said what level of participation, if any, Turkmenistan would have in Nabucco. Furthermore, Turkmenistan has committed itself to pumping more gas to Russia and China in recent weeks. And Esser notes that the Russia-Georgia conflict is still fresh in the minds of many and will play a role in how Nabucco fares in the coming weeks.

    “I think there’s a renewed political push for Nabucco; however, at the same time I think commercial risk has increased,” Esser says. “There is no way around it and because of that risk investors will want guarantees. I think we’ll have to see whether the increased political will for Nabucco translates into guarantees and perhaps subsidies.”

    Nabucco is planning to hold a meeting of shareholders, potential investors, and potential suppliers in Budapest next month to discuss the pipeline project’s future.

    RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service Director Kenan Aliyev contributed to this report

  • Greece in urgent need of 1 bln m3 of natural gas: BHMA

    Greece in urgent need of 1 bln m3 of natural gas: BHMA

    11 September 2008 | 15:04 | FOCUS News Agency

    Athens. Greece finds itself in an urgent need of 1 billion cubic meters of gas, Greek BHMA newspaper writes.
    The newspaper states that Turkey turns to be the big obstacle for the natural gas supply from Azerbaijan to Greece. According to diplomatic sources, the recent visit of Greece’s Minister of Development Christos Folias to Baku assured that Azerbaijan is ready to sell 3 billion cubic meters of gas by 2010 but pointed at the difficulties caused by Ankara. The key that opens the gas.

    Source: www.focus-fen.net, 11 September 2008

  • Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/ TrendNews/ President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has stated that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan, Dunya bulteni news agency of Turkey reported.

    Abdullah Gul said to journalists after his visit to Baku that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan and that Sarkisyan understands significance of resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

    “Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I witnessed it during my meeting with Sarkisyan,” Gul said.

    Gul said he believes Russia also has a positive attitude toward the resolution Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “I think Russia also wants Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to be solved. Because Russia will not accept its isolation in the region,” he added.

    Source: news.trendaz.com, 11.09.08

  • Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations

    “Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915″ ….  Barack Obama

    | January 19, 2008

    I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

    I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

    I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors – a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

    Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics – displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

    I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century

    ===========Obama’nın en büyük yalanı=================

    Obama’nın en büyük yalanı – ABD sahillerinde ve Alaskadaki kaynaklardan petrol  karşı çıkarken, ABDnin dışdan gelen petrolden asıllı yapmayaçağını söylemesi.Barack Obama is a classical liar. People get hooked onto the opportunity to reduce oil imports, withdraw from Iraq, reduce U.S. military presence worldwide. But no one really asks a question, how a man opposing the drilling off the U.S. coast or within the U.S. proper is  planning to accomplish these. Obama’s argument – Renewable energy? Good ideal, but it won’t appear out of  magic in January 2009, when the new President takes office. Obama is not a scientist and not a God to invent it within even 4 or 8 years.

    But most importantly, will any of you, American voters, be willing to turn off their lights and not drive their cars, for President Obama to accomplish his utopic yet false promise – the answer is clearly no. Just the opposite, the one who opposes drilling in U.S. will have to increase the dependence on foreign oil = U.S. military presence worldwide.

    And this is only one of his sheer lies apart from those vis-a-vis foreign policy. Obama talks about opposing special interest groups, while his words here about Turkey:

     

     

     

    “As a President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia; I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades… America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and  responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.”

    are paid by ANCA and ArmeniansForObama campaign, which IS a special interest group. I don’t understand how any Turk can even think to vote Obama, while it’s John McCain who at every single campaign meeting cites Turkey as an ally, a democratic nation and an example for the Muslim world, and most importantly opposes U.S. interference into historical issues between Turkey and Armenia.So, if Turkish pride somehow affects your choices as American voter, voting Obama is the last thing to do. Unless you want to walk in this country ashamed in front of Armenians, or even worse, be charged (like in France) for denying that your ancestors were murderers, just for being Turks.

    Javid Huseynov [[email protected]]

  • Armenia signs power supply deal with Turkey

    Armenia signs power supply deal with Turkey

    Armenia has signed a deal to supply electricity to Turkey from the beginning of 2009, Energy Minister Armen Movsisian said Wednesday.

    Movsisian told reporters that the deal will see electricity from Armenian thermal power plants supplied to eastern Turkey.

    “An agreement on this was reached during the recent visit of the Turkish President Abdullah Gul,” he said.

    “Turkey is a new market for Armenia, as Armenia last supplied electricity to this country during the Soviet period,” he added.

    Gul’s visit Saturday to attend a football match between the two nations teams and meet his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan raised hopes that Turkey and Armenia could help the resolution of conflicts and establish diplomatic relations.

    The deal was signed between Armenias state-owned High Voltage Electricity Network

    company and a privately owned Turkish firm called UNIT, Movsisian said.

    He said the infrastructure was in place on the Armenian side to deliver the electricity but that repairs to transmission lines and the installation of a new transformer in Turkey would take four to five months.

    Armenia signs power supply deal with Turkey.