Turkish Foreign Minister: Turkey Expressed Condolences to Russian Federation

The pipeline has been planned to bypass Ukraine through four pipelines under the Black Sea and deliver Russian natural gas to Southern Europe and Turkey.

The project’s capacity is planned to reach 23 bcm by 2023, and 31 bcm by 2026.

Russia and Turkey have suspended negotiations on the $12bn Turkish Stream pipeline project after relations between the two countries deteriorated due to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member shooting down a Russian military aircraft.

Turkey’s gas grid BOTAS and Qatar’s national oil energy company inked a memorandum of understanding during Erdogan’s visit on December 2 which will pave the way for Turkey to import LNG in both a regular and long-term manner, according to Turkish officials.

Ankara expects a “recovery” in its strained relationship with Russian Federation, but warned that the process would require patience, Turkey’s foreign minister said. “Then, if any information about the reality of the incident [downing the warplane] and how it occurred is asked, we’ve already shared it but we will share it one more time”.

Davutoglu stressed Turkey was ready to discuss every possible issue with Russian Federation except for “the borders of the Republic of Turkey or its right to independence”.

However, Davutoglu criticized Moscow’s series of economic sanctions, describing it as a “contradiction”.

“Those who believe that economic sanctions against an honourable nation like Turkey can bring it to its knees will be mistaken”, Davutoglu said.

“Our stance, as Turkey over Nagorno-Karabakh is clear”.

“The stronger Turkey is, the greater is the power of Azerbaijan”.

“Establishing peace in the Caucasus and its nearing regions depends on Turkey-Azerbaijan relations”. The public in Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as throughout the world, saw how close we are to each other.