Russian Gazprom and Turkish BOTAS resume talks on gas discount
Russia’s Gazprom and Turkey’s BOTAŞ have resumed talks on a potential discount on gas for the latter, as stated by Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, RIA Novosti reported.
"The issue of the price of gas is linked to the content of trade agreements between the economic entities of our countries… Now the negotiations on gas prices resumed, and there is hope the parties can reach a common position,” Novak said.
The Russian Minister added that the situation, however, remains complicated, as Gazprom sells gas to not only BOTAŞ, but also to Turkish private providers.
"It is therefore necessary to find a way out, taking into account all the factors, using an integrated approach,” Novak said.
The Russian Minister also noted that trade between Russia and Turkey has continued to be strengthened over the last several months since relations between Ankara and Moscow began to improve after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan submitted an official apology to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the downing of a Russian Su-24 frontline bomber by Turkish F-16 fighters over the Syrian-Turkish border last fall.