Erdogan slams EU for not opening the energy chapter

PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking at the Black Sea Energy and Economy Forum in Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the EU resistance on not opening the energy chapter.

"Those who still have hesitations on opening the energy chapter with Turkey, are actually using this chapter as a threat card, which is absolutely not nice," Erdogan said.

Stating that Turkey's energy-wise strategic position holds an important place in Turkey's EU vision, Erdogan said those who open Turkey's EU membership for debate, those who capitalize it in daily politics, those who introduce additional conditions and challenges, are unfortunately devoid of the necessary vision and foresight.

Erdogan said Turkey's EU membership will be a win-win situation for both sides. He also cautioned that those who are responsible for coordination in Nabucco have not yet taken any action and noted that Turkey expects EU to step in.

Erdogan also noted that Istanbul and Canakkale traits can no longer bear the shipment of Russian and Caspian oil, thus pointed to the importance of projects like Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline, TRT-World reported.