Turkey hopes to finalize the planned energy deals with Iran within a month after the sides failed to agree on the deals during Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s visit last week.

Turkey’s Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said the technical works on the planned agreements are underway. “We will go to Iran in two weeks and would likely be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. We will continue our efforts to finalize those works within a month,” Guler told reporters at a press conference on Monday.   Turkey and Iran failed to sign deals on a multi-billion dollar-investment in energy. Turkey and Iran agreed in May to build a new gas pipeline to ensure a reliable supply to Turkey, and the $3.5 billion agreement was expected to be finalized during Ahmadinejad’s visit.    Guler also said Turkey had concluded technical studies on natural gas production from Iran’s huge South Pars gas field and sent them to Tehran, who would give its response on Aug. 21.   Turkey and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to produce 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas in three phases in Iran’s South Pars gas field last year. The Turkish private sector will build three power stations, which uses natural gas to generate 6,000 megawatts of energy, in Iran according to the signed MOU.
The preliminary understanding on the development of the South Pars gas field also includes the transit of Iranian natural gas to Europe through Turkey, as well as the transit of gas from Turkmenistan to Turkey via Iran.   Guler also rejected claims that the failure of the energy deals with Iran was the result of pressure from the United States, who seeks to increase the isolation of Tehran due to the international row over its nuclear program.   “We are an independent country. Here we eye our country’s interests... We have to make investments for the (energy) supply security of Turkey, “Guler added.   (Source: Hurriyet.com.tr)