Turkey strengthens its energy strategy: focus on TRNC and new gas projects

Turkey continues to actively expand its energy presence both in the Eastern Mediterranean region and beyond. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced plans to strengthen the international activities of the state company TPAO.

According to him, Turkey is already conducting projects in Somalia and is preparing new initiatives in Libya. At the same time, special attention is paid to the Eastern Mediterranean and, in particular, Northern Cyprus.

The Minister confirmed that energy exploration in the region continues, and one of the key directions is the gas pipeline project for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The company BOTAŞ is involved in the development and is already conducting engineering surveys.

According to Bayraktar, if the project is successfully implemented, natural gas produced in the region can be directed to Turkey via a separate route. He emphasized that the main priority remains energy connectivity and infrastructure integration.

In parallel, Ankara is expanding cooperation with a number of countries and international energy giants. In particular, Turkey is negotiating and concluding agreements with companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, and Eni.

Separately, the Minister noted the development of joint projects with Syria, including interest in fields in the northeast of the country.

Experts believe that Turkey's activation in the energy sector could strengthen the role of the TRNC as a potential link in the regional energy system and affect the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.