Worried that Russia may cut export of natural gas, 55% of Turkey's need, Erdoğan says Turks can do without gas, but rushes to ask Qatari Emir for help, just in case

Erdoğan told reporters on his plane: “As you know, we [Turkey] have not lived with natural gas our whole lives. We all know how long it has been since we began using natural gas.”

“Moreover we will not be doomed if we cannot acquire Russian gas,” he said, adding Turkey buys natural gas from various countries.
Turkey imports 95 percent of its energy from abroad and meets 55 percent -- or 27 billion cubic meters (bcm) -- of its natural gas consumption and 30 percent of its oil needs from Russia. Additionally, the contractors of Turkey's first nuclear energy plant in Mersin's Akkuyu district -- whose reactor is due to be built in 2016 -- are two subsidiaries of Russia's state-owned Rosatom.

Turkey was hit with a wide range of sanctions by Russia after it shot down a Russian Su-24 jet on Nov. 24 after it violated Turkish airspace for 17 seconds. The incident was recorded as the first downing of a Russian jet by a NATO member country in over half a century.

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The state-owned Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) has announced a memorandum of understanding with the Qatari national petrol company regarding the long-term supply of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) to Turkey amid speculation that Russia may cut its supply of gas to Turkey.

Turkey already imports LNG from Qatar on the basis of temporary deals. A planned agreement between the two countries will set the framework for long-term and regular LNG exports from Qatar, media reports said.

Erdoğan also announced on Wednesday that the two countries have abolished visa requirements.

Thanking Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for his hospitality, Erdoğan announced the developments surrounding the abolishment of visa requirements between the two countries. “The visa restrictions between Turkey and Qatar have been lifted. Now Turkish citizens and Qatari citizens will be able to travel to these countries without a visa,” he said.

The two countries signed a total of 15 agreements to boost cooperation in a number of fields, Erdoğan said.

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