Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA5168
2005-09-06 06:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY AND POTENTIAL GAS TO GEORGIA

Tags:  EPET ENRG ETRD TU GG AZ 
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UNCLAS ANKARA 005168

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

EUR ALSO FOR DAS BRYZA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG ETRD TU GG AZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY AND POTENTIAL GAS TO GEORGIA

REF: ANKARA 5080

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

(SBU) In a September 2 meeting with Econ Counselor, GOT DDG
Energy Mithat Rende said that Turkey was receptive to
Georgia's request for additional gas from Turkey's share of
Shah Deniz gas and understood the importance the USG placed
on breaking Gazprom's monopolistic hold on the Georgian gas
market. However, Rende said that Turkey needed the 6 BCM per
year destined for Turkey for it to diversify its gas supply
(from dependence on Russia and Gazprom) and for it to develop
as a serious transit country to Europe (only the Shah Deniz
gas allows Turkey re-export rights). In response to a recent
letter from the Georgian PM, he expected that the Turkish PM
would propose a bilateral working group to explore options
including the Georgian request, but also other ideas such as
seeking greater output from Azerbaijan. (Note: Per Reftel
DAS Bryza raised this issue with MENR U/S, who deferred to
MFA on this national interest question. End Note.)
MCELDOWNEY