Prospects of a Triangular Relationship? Energy Relations between the EU, Russia and Turkey

von Kristin Linke and Marcel Viëtor (Eds.)
Veröffentlicht am 14. April 2010.
in: International Policy Analysis, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 30 S., ISBN 9783868723038

The energy sector is the driving force in relations between the EU, Russia and Turkey. The EU is a major consumer, Russia a major supplier and Turkey is both an important consumer and a transit country, mainly for natural gas but also for crude oil. Since the three players share an interest in a secure and smooth energy supply and face common external challenges, this constellation suggests that they should explore the potential for a cooperative energy triangle between the EU, Russia and Turkey.

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So far, however, three loose and partly inconsistent bilateral relationships prevail. Russia has started to rethink its Energy Strategy and to turn its attention away from the European Union towards new partners, such as China in the East and Turkey in the West. Turkey’s foreign energy policy, too, has ceased to focus on the EU and has instead begun to concentrate on its role as an energy hub for resources from Russia, the Middle East and the Caspian region.

Since energy relations between the EU and Russia, as well as between the EU and Turkey are in need of improvement, while relations between Russia and Turkey are flourishing, the EU in particular should pursue the development of a triangular energy architecture. This is even more important as natural gas is likely to play a crucial role in the necessary transformation process towards a supply based on low carbon energy sources. Success, however, is possible only if all three players understand trilateral energy cooperation as a win–win situation, rather than as a bargaining tool to be used against one another.

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