Turkey’s Place in the Path of the Development of Common Energy Politics of the European Union

Abstract

Energy was one of the major dynamics used to build the European Community. Especially after the oil crises in 1970s, the Community embraced the principle of uni- fi cation as a means to guarantee the security of oil resources and requirements. In order to protect the available conditions of the Union and increase development both geo- graphically and politically, the Union needed more energy. A fundamental lack of en- ergy resources, an increasing dependency on imported energy, environmental concerns, and the failure to build a stable European market economy were all factors that harmed the young Union and forced it to seek new avenues for oil resources. Turkey, with its geographical and geopolitical position, has been both a bridge and a terminal between the Middle Eastern and Middle Asian countries and the world market. Because of its unique position, Turkey plays an important role in Europe's energy policy.