TURKEY-U.S. BILATERAL ENERGY DIALOGUE - KEEPING IT

UNCLAS ANKARA 000404

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/ESP, AND EUR/SNEC/STEPHEN MANN
USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/OEURA/CPD/DDEFALCO
NSC FOR BRYZA AND MCKIBBEN
TREASURY FOR RADKINS AND MMILLS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EPET ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY-U.S. BILATERAL ENERGY DIALOGUE - KEEPING IT
ON TRACK



1. (SBU) The new GOT MFA DDG for Energy and Water, Mithat
Rende, gave EconCounselor MFA's reaction to a meeting in
Washington between the new DOE A/S for International Affairs
Karen Harbert and GOT Ambassador Logoglu. According to the
MFA's report, the meeting was also attended by DAS John
Brodman and Desk Officer Chuck Washington. Rende said DOE
proposed restarting the "Bilateral Energy Dialogue" via a
series of meetings and study missions at expert and policy
levels, kicked off by a visit to Ankara by Chuck Washington
in early February. According to Rende, DOE told the GOT
Ambassador that it had consulted already with the GOT
Ministry of Energy. Rende confirmed this and said that the
MOE and MFA were in favor of DOE's proposals.


2. (SBU) Post's understanding had been that given State's
and other agencies' significant interests in the range of
energy issues, including, among others, energy security, BTC
oil pipeline, East-West Energy Corridor, Bosphorus bypass,
and natural gas, DOE agreed last year to put the U.S.-Turkey
energy dialogue under the EPC. We believe it is important
that energy issues be pursued in the context of the overall
economic and political relationship, including in the ongoing
interagency discussions on recalibrating the relationship as
Turkey pursues its membership in the EU. We reiterate our
expectation that USG initiatives with Turkey be put forward
only based on full appropriate coordination, and that this
Embassy be kept fully engaged in the formulation and
presentation of any initiatives. Post looks forward to
instructions on how to proceed.
EDELMAN