Afghan national sentenced to 20 years in U.S. prison over 2021 Kabul airport attack
An Afghan national linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the 20...
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are advancing plans for a major new energy corridor that would transmit green electricity from the Caspian region to Europe, Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has told AnewZ in an exclusive interview.
Bayraktar said the initiative, described as a “power version” of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), is being driven at the highest political level, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ilham Aliyev pushing for rapid progress.
“Already we started to work on this and especially President Erdogan and President Aliyev gave us a very clear instruction on that, to work immediately on this project,” he said.
According to Bayraktar, an intergovernmental agreement between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and potentially other regional partners could be reached soon.
“Maybe in the near future, within this year, we might see some intergovernmental agreement between Turkey, Azerbaijan and hopefully the other neighbours will join us,” he added.
The proposed project would mirror the role of TANAP, which transports natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe via Türkiye. However, the new initiative would focus on electricity, particularly renewable energy.
“And through that, we are going to be able to create a power version of Trans-Anatolian Pipeline, the gas projects,” Bayraktar said.
“In that project, also, we are going to bring green electricity from Azerbaijan to Turkey and through Turkey to European markets.”
The plan reflects a broader shift towards cleaner energy sources as Europe seeks to diversify its energy supply and increase imports of renewable power.
Bayraktar emphasised that the proposed power line is just one element of an expanding energy partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
“This is one of them, obviously, but last few months, actually, we developed so many projects together,” he said.
Among the recent developments is the launch of the Nakhchivan–Türkiye gas interconnection, which allows gas to be supplied to Azerbaijan’s exclave through Türkiye.
“We brought gas to Nakhchivan through Turkey. This was one of them,” he noted.
Energy cooperation is also extending beyond bilateral ties, with new infrastructure connecting multiple countries across the region.
“And on the gas side, we have now interconnection between Turkey and Syria,” Bayraktar said, adding that Azerbaijani gas is being delivered to Syria through swap arrangements via Türkiye.
The minister said further projects are under discussion, including upstream oil and gas developments in the Caspian Sea, as well as additional electricity initiatives.
“But also, we are in talks with developing additional projects from upstream, oil and gas projects … but also some power projects as well,” he said.
The growing network of energy links highlights Türkiye’s ambition to position itself as a key transit hub between Asia and Europe. For Azerbaijan, it reinforces its role as a major supplier of both natural gas and, increasingly, renewable energy.
If realised, the proposed Trans-Anatolian Power Line could become a central component of Europe’s energy diversification strategy, complementing existing gas corridors and helping accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
For now, the project remains in the planning stage. However, Bayraktar’s comments suggest momentum is building, with strong political backing, expanding regional partnerships and a clear strategic vision shaping what could become one of the region’s most significant energy initiatives.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran dismissed his comments as “mixed signals” as the conflict approaches its seventh month.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At least 16 people have been killed after suicide blasts during Friday prayers hit a police compound in Kohat, northwest Pakistan, officials said.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan would not object if Russia decided to withdraw its 102nd Military Base from Gyumri, arguing that the facility no longer plays a vital role in Armenia’s security.
Azerbaijan is examining the use of digital technologies to document and protect historical and religious monuments, particularly sites in the liberated territories.
Pakistan and India have lodged protests against each other after their respective naval vessels collided in the North Arabian Sea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment