Turkish energy minister calls for increased cooperation with EU

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated on October 19, 2026, that Europe is in critical need of Turkish natural gas. Speaking after the deployment of the 'Osman Gazi' floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, Bayraktar criticized the European Union for its economic and political losses, suggesting that ideological approaches hinder vital energy partnerships.

Bayraktar explicitly blamed Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration for potentially forcing the EU into irrational policy decisions regarding Turkey. He emphasized that Europe is closely monitoring gas production at the Sakarya field in the Black Sea as the continent prepares for the end of Russian gas imports, which is scheduled for 2027. The minister urged EU leadership to abandon ideological biases and acknowledge Turkey's role as a strategic energy supplier.

This rhetoric reflects Turkey's long-standing geopolitical tensions with Greece and Cyprus, which frequently impact Ankara's relations with Brussels. The Turkish government aims to position its Black Sea reserves as a primary alternative for European energy security in the context of the looming 2027 deadline for cutting ties with Russian energy sources.