Turkey's energy strategy under pressure : domestic bets and regional constraints
Practical information
Registration for this event is now closed.
Find out more about our donor programsIfri"s Contemporary Turkey Programme and Ifri"s Center for Energy organize a joined seminar with Dorothée Schmid, Research Fellow, Head of the Contemporary Turkey Programme at Ifri, Mithat Rende, Ambassador, Director General for Multilateral Economic Affairs, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sohbet Karbuz, Director of Hydrocarbons, Observatoire Méditerranée de l'Énergie (Ome), Denis Simonneau, Diplomatic Adviser, Member of the Executive Committee in charge of European and International Relations, GDF Suez, Ozan Acar, Economist, Economy Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV). Chaired by Cécile Maisonneuve, Director of Ifri"s Center for Energy.
The Middle East energy equation is rapidly evolving in view of different parameters. Among others, Iraq"s massive hydrocarbon resources are being developed, significant offshore gas discoveries have been made in the Levantine basin, Iran ability to export and maintain its production levels is suffering from international sanctions, and, last but not least, Arab political transitions are seriously impacting traditional Mediterranean producers.
In such an uncertain regional context, Turkey has to meet the explosion of its energy demand and ensure its energy interests.
According to the International Energy Agency, Turkey"s energy consumption is indeed expected to double by 2020. The country ranks second worldwide in terms of gas and electricity demand growth, just behind China. Turkey therefore has to secure its supplies, rationalize its consumption and promote the development of its domestic resources. These objectives cannot be achieved without massive investments and a clear policy outlook.
On the other hand, reforms to come will also be crucial as regard Turkey"s ability to maintain and develop its strategic role as an energy hub between producing countries of the Caspian Sea, the Middle East, Russia and the European markets. This questions the articulation of Turkey"s foreign policy with its energy interests.
The seminar will provide insights on energy issues in Turkey, especially in view of recent political and geopolitical developments both in Turkey itself and in the neighbouring region.
Other events
Lunch debate with Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand
Discussion co-chaired by Thierry de Montbrial, Executive Chairman of Ifri, member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, and Marc Hecker, Deputy Director of Ifri (in English without translation).
North Korea Beyond Nukes: Focusing on the Human Rights Challenge
Debates surrounding North Korea are primarily focused on security issues, particularly nuclear and ballistic concerns, relegating the critical situation of the North Korean population and human rights violations to the background. The lack of information about the real living conditions of North Koreans contributes to the absence of attention and discussion on this crucial issue.
Shaping Europe’s Technological Sovereignty
In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election in the United States, Europeans face a crucial imperative: rethinking their sovereigny, especially in the technological realm. What will be the strategic priorities and action levers of the new European Commission on this issue? What assessment can we make of the previous Commission’s achievements and challenges in navigating Sino-American technological competition, transatlantic dependencies, and emerging global partnerships?