Turkey calls on world to share energy for peace

By Dilara Zengin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Energy projects will offer a solution to disputes, the elimination of terrorism and foster global peace in the Middle East as long as the countries share these values for the better-justified partition of resources, Turkey's Energy Minister Berat Albayrak said Monday.

Speaking at the 23rd World Energy Congress (WEC) in Istanbul, of which Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner for 2016, Albayrak stated that problems in the energy field contribute to disputes throughout the world.

"No country can secure its energy security without the help and assistance of other countries," he said.

"In recent years, energy has been a number one item on the agenda of the whole world," he said, elaborating that politically within any region, there will be energy resources at the center. He asserted that for energy security, a new collaborative approach is required for eliminating conflicts.

Albayrak emphasized that regional stability is important for all countries for the durable, secure and efficient implementation of energy transmission.

"Turkey has a geopolitical advantage but also plays a very important role in the transportation of energy throughout the region. The most important problem is ensuring global peace and stability while regulating our energy systems. We see energy as a restorative instrument and, therefore, this will give us [Turkey] an opportunity to improve other qualities in the region," he stated.

He underlined that Turkey's interest through energy projects is based on win-win principle.

Co-Chair, Chairman and CEO of World Energy Council, Younghoon David Kim, also express his thanks to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his leadership and personal support for the World Energy Congress event.

"The Energy sector is undergoing a transition driven by new technology and global environmental challenges. Our industry has a historic opportunity to provide leadership to the new industrial revolution. Let's us embrace new frontiers of energy together," he said.

The congress is hosted by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Albayrak, and held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.