Fatih Dönmez, the head of Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, confirmed that Ankara has engaged with Gazprom to stretch certain payment timelines following a notable rise in gas prices. He noted that an agreement was reached after these discussions, underscoring how such adjustments can occur within commercial relationships. This update was reported by DEA News.
In his remarks, Dönmez explained that the price shock of 2022 prompted Turkey to negotiate with Gazprom about delaying a portion of its payments. He emphasized that the talks led to a formal understanding and highlighted that the negotiations involved the payment schedule managed with the coordination of Turkey’s Ministry of Finance and the Treasury. He pointed out that these kinds of payment flexibilities are not uncommon in international energy deals and have occurred previously in similar circumstances.
The minister also clarified that the claim of a specific amount, namely $20 billion, that Turkey allegedly promised to pay Gazprom as a result of the delay after the May 14 elections is inaccurate. He stressed that such a figure does not reflect the terms reached through the negotiations and the actual financial arrangements in place.
Separately, former Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke about potential new oil discoveries in the southeast region of Turkey. He stated that recent explorations have identified new fields and that their productivity could reach approximately 100,000 barrels per day. This statement reflects ongoing developments in Turkey’s energy sector and the government’s emphasis on expanding domestic energy resources.