Brzezinski: "Energy cooperation could also solve regional problems"

The energy lines crossing and surrounding Turkey could also solve regional problems, leading US strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski said yesterday. Speaking to Sabah daily on the sidelines of the Black Sea Energy and Economy Forum held by the Atlantic Council in Istanbul, Brzezinski said, "Everyone know the critical importance Turkey has for the region. As Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Turkey is both an energy transit country and a distribution hub. Energy-related developments can be a remedy to the problems of the region as well. This region has a great potential, and everyone economically benefits from steps that are taken in the area of energy." Asked about Turkey not taking part in new sanctions on Iran unilaterally imposed by the European Union and the US, he said, "This should be seen as a normal development. Turkey had declared that it will abide by the new round of UN sanctions on Iran. It doesn't want to do more than this. As an independent country, it has the right to do this. This is Turkey's decision." On Turkey's EU accession process, Brzezinski, a former US national security advisor, reiterated US support for Turkey's EU bid, and added that Turkey's admission would benefit both Turkey and the EU. He also underlined that Turkey plays a key role in terms of regional stability, something which carries great importance for the EU as well.