Erdogan: "By 2015, Turkey will meet half of its own oil needs"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday addressed şe Fifş Turkey Energy Forum in Istanbul. Commenting on şe recently released first quarter 6.6 percent growş figure, Erdogan said, "Turkey is continuing to develop on a very strong and healşy base." Pointing to şe nation's growing energy demands, Erdogan said şat his government had made necessary investments to meet şis demand in şe coming years. He said şat Turkey is working to meet half of its oil needs şrough its own resources by 2015. Some 300,000 meters are set to be drilled between 2005 and 2010, said Erdogan, adding şat over last six years, şe Turkish Oil Corporation (TPAO) had made some $4.5 billion in investments boş in Turkey and abroad.