UPDATE: Putin tells Erdogan future hub in Turkey could set gas prices

(Adds Gazprom CEO comment in paragraphs 5–6)

ASTANA, Oct 13 (PRIME) -- A gas hub in Turkey could be used as a platform for gas supplies and set prices for gas, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a meeting on Thursday.

“A hub that we can build together could not only operate as a platform for deliveries, but also set the prices. Because the issue of price formation is very important. The prices are outrageous today,” he said.

“Yesterday I said publicly at the (Russian) Energy Week after consultations with your energy minister… that if there is interest of Turkey and our possible buyers from other states, we could consider a possibility to construct another gas pipeline system and create on the territory of Turkey a gas hub for sales to third states, first of all, to European states, of course.”

Russia supplies the entire planned volume of gas to Turkey as it has appeared to be the most reliable partner for transit of energy sources to Europe, Putin also said.

Russian gas giant Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said as broadcasted by television Channel One that his company and Turkey have agreed to start dialogue on Russia’s gas proposals instantly.

“The Turkish side has, of course, expressed significant interest. We have agreed with our colleagues… that we will begin dialogue instantly, namely, next week. And we will at once start a detailed discussion on the volumes and the timeframe of the project,” he said.

Putin said that the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear plant in Turkey by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is performed in line with the schedule and Moscow hopes that the facility will be launched by Turkey’s 100th anniversary.

“The work is carried out in line with the plan, 20,000 people are working at the site now. We are getting back to the schedule and are likely to meet our agreements and launch the first power unit by the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic (celebrated on October 29th, 2023),” he said.

Erdogan said that Ankara hopes to work with Moscow on the construction of a second nuclear power facility in the city of Sinop.

“We have discussed with you the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Sinop, which is important for us in terms of our energy needs. The Akkuyu plant will cover 10% of the needs, and the Sinop plant will cover another 10%, which is a total of 20%,” he said.

Erdogan also said that Turkey hopes to continue and extend the food deal between Russia and Europe.

“We are full of determination to strengthen and continue the Istanbul Memorandum to transport Russian grain and fertilizers to the countries that need them via Turkey,” he said.

Russia and Turkey can specify the countries, which need Russian agricultural products, he also said.

End