Gul: "Nuclear energy is indispensable for Turkey"

Turkey needs nuclear power plants to reduce its dependence on foreign energy suppliers, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Speaking at a meeting of the Turkish-South Korean Business Forum in Seoul, Gul said that nuclear energy is essential for Turkey, adding that the country places great importance on its cooperation with South Korea to jointly construct a nuclear power plant in the Black Sea province of Sinop. "Turkey and South Korea enjoy excellent bilateral political relations, and now it's time to translate this into economic and trade cooperation," Gul said. Stating that bilateral trade currently stands at $3 billion, Gul said this falls short of a level befitting the friendship and intimacy between Turkey and South Korea. Stressing that as Europe's fastest-growing economy Turkey will need more energy in the future, Gul said, "Turkey's current energy supplies are inadequate and just like South Korea, Turkey is dependent on foreign energy sources as well. That's why nuclear energy is imperative for Turkey to meet its energy needs. We consider our cooperation on the joint construction of a nuclear power plant in Sinop highly important. I believe that with this project in this area, Turkey and South Korea will set a good example."