EU's Oettinger: "Turkey is pivotal for European energy independence"

Turkey is a key partner for European countries freeing themselves from dependence on Russian gas supplies, European Union Commissioner on Energy Guenther Oettinger said last week. Speaking to the European Union Germany Foundation, Oettinger said that an EU-wide association on energy should be created beyond the Union's borders, and added, "Turkey is an important partner for Europe to get gas supplies independent of Russia." EU countries will import 75 percent of their energy needs in the near future, he said.