Moscow -- Turkey is asking Russian gas giant Gazprom for a discount on natural gas under the current contract, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz told reporters in Moscow.
The amount of current natural gas shipments was discussed at the meeting, as well as the price for private companies, he said. These prices are indexed to the price of oil, which has fallen in recent months, but the time lag is six to nine months and it is necessary to cover the difference between these periods for 2015, Yildiz said.
Turkey is very interested in issues concerning prices for the private sector in the country as the Turkish natural gas market is being liberalized, so these issues concern Botas and the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry very closely, Yildiz said, adding that the price that goes into the overall pool of prices in Turkey is very important to them.
A contract window opens at the beginning of 2015 when negotiations can be initiated to change prices for Russian gas supplied to private companies on the Turkish market.
The minister also said Turkey is open to all proposals concerning the Tuz Golu underground gas storage facility, not only from Gazprom but also other Russian companies.
This could not only be Tuz Golu, but also other places like Tarsus, Yildiz said, adding that Turkey is open to proposals and is prepared to conduct joint investment activities.
Turkey would be extremely pleased to welcome private companies, international capital, companies from Russia, as well as from third countries into such important projects, Yildiz said.
