Slamming EU over blocked chapter, Erdogan says Turkey becoming key global energy player

With its geostrategic location making it an energy transit country, its strongly developing economy, and its goal of becoming an energy hub, Turkey is poised to emerge as a key global energy player, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday. Addressing the Black Sea Energy and Economy Forum held by the Atlantic Council in Istanbul, Erdogan talked about rising international energy demands. By 2030, energy investments worth a projected $26 trillion are needed to meet these demands worldwide, Erdogan said, adding that $14 trillion of this is set to be invested in electricity production, transmission and distribution. Touching on Turkey's European Union accession, Erdogan criticized the Union for blocking the opening of the energy chapter for political reasons, saying, "Those who question Turkey's EU accession bid, exploit it for domestic political gains, continually impose new conditions on Turkey's accession, and erect new obstacles before Turkey unfortunately lack both vision and farsightedness." Stating that Turkey is completely ready to start its energy talks, Erdogan said, "Those who hesitate to open the energy chapter are in fact using it to threaten Turkey, and this is indecent." Turkey knows what is happening, and won't fall into this trap, he added. Stating that Turkey's accession would benefit not only Turkey but also the EU, Erdogan said, "The EU will gain at least as much advantage from our accession as Turkey."