Turkish Energy Minister Strengthens Bilateral Ties with Venezuela in Oil, Gas, and Mining
Minister Bayraktar met with Venezuela's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, to further discuss ways to strengthen alliances in energy and mining.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar (R) meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) in Caracas, Venezuela on January 31, 2024. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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urkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar embarked on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela, aiming to fortify energy collaboration between the two nations in the crucial sectors of oil, gas, and mining. The high-profile visit included significant meetings with Venezuelan officials and resulted in the signing of several crucial agreements.
On January 30, Bayraktar held a pivotal meeting with Venezuelan Petroleum Minister Pedro Rafael Tellechea Ruiz in Caracas. Both ministers engaged in discussions centered around oil and natural gas exploration, production, trade, and services. Following the productive talks, Venezuela and Turkey formalized their commitment to enhanced collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding for oil and natural gas cooperation.
Minister Tellechea expressed the significance of the meeting, stating, “We reviewed various issues of strategic cooperation and the great window of opportunity that exists for investments in oil and gas.” The agreement lays the groundwork for future joint ventures and economic partnerships between the two nations.
Energy and mining
Later in the day, Minister Bayraktar met with Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, to further discuss ways to strengthen alliances in energy and mining. Rodriguez highlighted the importance of increasing commercial exchange and encouraging direct investments between the two countries. The discussions underscored the mutual commitment to fostering economic ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation.
The Turkish energy delegation didn’t stop there; they also engaged with Ecological Mining Development Minister William Serantes Pinto. The meeting focused on the potential for investment and collaboration in the mining sector.
Minister Bayraktar expressed optimism about the opportunities for Turkish companies, including state-owned entities such as Eti Maden, MTA (Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate), and Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC), to operate in Venezuela.
The culmination of the official visits took place on January 31 when Minister Bayraktar met with Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro. Following the meeting, Bayraktar pledged to deepen cooperation with Venezuela in the energy and mining sectors. “Our goal will be to further expand our relations, which are built on solid foundations, with our collaborations in the fields of energy and mining,” stated Bayraktar.
Bilateral relations between Turkey and Venezuela
The visit has marked a significant shift in bilateral relations between Turkey and Venezuela, with Minister Bayraktar emphasizing the transformative dimension the official visits have imparted to the ties between the two nations. As a testament to the commitment to cooperation, Bayraktar signed two separate memorandums of understanding with Venezuelan Petroleum Minister Pedro Rafael Tellechea Ruiz and Ecological Mining Development Minister William Serantes Pinto.
In a social media post, Minister Bayraktar expressed hope that the signed agreements would yield tangible results that deepen the relations between Turkey and Venezuela. The comprehensive approach to collaboration in energy, mining, and trade is expected to open new avenues for economic growth and strengthen the bonds between these two nations.
Source: Anadolu Agency.
