SETA’s energy researcher, Gloria Shkurti Özdemir, gave an interview for A News regarding the Akkuyu Project and Turkey-Russia cooperation in the energy field.

Özdemir stated that energy has been placed at the center of the Turkey-Russia relations. Both states have undertaken important projects including here TurkStream and Akkuyu Plant. Gloria Shkurti Özdemir asserted that the Akkuyu project will strengthen the bilateral relations.

Asked how will Akkuyu nuclear plant contribute to Turkey’s energy security, Özdemir argued that adding nuclear energy to the electricity mix will make possible for Ankara to decrease its dependency on the imported natural gas, therefor increase its energy security. Furthermore, Özdemir stated that together with the nuclear energy, at least 70% of Turkey’s electricity would be obtained from local and renewable resources.