TURKEY COMMITTED TO SE EUROPE ENERGY PROCESS, BUT

UNCLAS ANKARA 006770 SIPDIS SENSITIVE USDOE FOR CHUCK WASHINGTON USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/OEURA/CPD/CRUSNAK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV TU SUBJECT: TURKEY COMMITTED TO SE EUROPE ENERGY PROCESS, BUT WILL NOT SIGN THE DOTTED LINE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Turkey insists that it will continue to participate in the SE Europe energy integration process, but will not sign the Brussels treaty (recent ceremony in Brussels),because they will not foreclose on the option to negotiate longer transition time-frames to achieve energy and environment acquis in EU accession. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Explaining Turkey,s decision not to sign the Brussels (formerly Athens Process) SE Europe Energy Treaty, GOT MinEnergy DDG Mithat Rende told EnergyOff that Turkey was fully committed to integrating with SE Europe and EU energy markets. Rende noted that Energy Minister Guler attended the meeting, but that Turkey had previously made clear its reservations to the treaty. Asserting that the treaty language was rushed and flawed, Rende said that Turkey had offered comments, but the EU Commission was unwilling to adjust the treaty draft. Rende asserted that its reservations had been carefully explained to the Commission and they had expected some acknowledgement of Turkey,s "special" situation, but the Commission seemingly decided to pressure Turkey to sign anyway. ¶3. (SBU) Rende explained that Turkey could not commit to achieving the EU energy and environment acquis in the one-year time frame required by the Brussels treaty. Turkey needed the time that would be allowed under the EU accession negotiations to reach harmonization, and or negotiate special exemptions or time periods. In other words, it was a practical issue of time and cost. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Turkey let a highly symbolic moment pass, and did not join the treaty signing, but the Minister was there for the photo op. Turkey is committed to energy market integration and harmonization as part of EU accession, but will insist on the right to negotiate special exemptions (just as safeguards will be forced on them in many areas). It will be a long and painful process for both sides. MCELDOWNEY