Turkey to continue gas imports from Iran despite sanctions

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said Turkey will continue importing natural gas from Iran despite the US-led western sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Yildiz underlined that Turkey is still willing to continue its cooperation with Iran in the field of energy. Addressing a conference on Europe’s energy issues organized by the Economist magazine, Yildiz pointed to Iran as one of the most important countries having rich oil and gas resources in the world, and said, “Turkey will continue its projects in energy sector.” He said that Iran is one of the five important countries that supply gas to Turkey, adding that Turkey exports its major portion of oil from Iran. Turkey imports more than 90 percent of its oil and gas. Iran and Turkey are determined to boost their trade exchanges to $35 billion in the near future. Iran and Turkey have increased their cooperation in various fields of economy, security, trade, education, energy and culture in the recent years. The two sides have exchanged several politico-economic delegations during the last few months.