Turkish-Lebanese talks to enhance energy cooperation

Istanbul, Sept 2 (KUNA) -- Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar held talks with Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joseph Saadeh to strengthen ties between the two countries in the fields of electricity, oil, and natural gas, as well as to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

Bayraktar stated in a post on the Turkish social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he met with Saadeh and his accompanying delegation at the ministry headquarters in the capital, Ankara, on Wednesday. He explained that the meeting comprehensively addressed enhancing regional interconnection networks in electricity, natural gas, and oil, as well as cooperation projects that could be implemented in the oil and gas sectors.

He added, “We are ready to share Turkey’s expertise, knowledge, and capabilities in the energy sector with Lebanon and to enhance our cooperation in this field through projects developed on the basis of mutual benefit.”

For its part, the Lebanese Ministry of Energy stated in a press release that “Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saadeh visited Ankara, where he held a working meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Alparslan Bayraktar.” The ministry noted that the meeting “discussed cooperation across various dimensions in the energy sector.”

It further mentioned that the Turkish side expressed “interest in electrical interconnection, supplying Lebanon with gas, exploring Lebanese investment blocks, solar and clean energy, and conventional power plants.”

It clarified that, based on this, “a liaison team has been appointed between the two sides to follow up on work on these files.” (End) T.A. / R.J.