The Geopolitics of Energy Cooperation between Turkey and the European Union

This article discusses the prospects and challenges of establishing a comprehensive energy cooperation between Turkey and the EU. The main argument is that energy politics is primarily driven by national rather than collective interests, which impedes the consolidation of regional cooperation.

There are three primary mechanisms through which the prevalence of national interests undermines energy cooperation.

First, the divergence of national energy interests of member states makes it difficult for the EU to implement a common external energy policy.

Second, Russia follows a 'wedge strategy', which combines selective incentives with coercive instruments to prevent the formation of a unified anti-Russian energy bloc within the EU.

Third, Turkey’s dependency on Russian gas limits Ankara’s room for manoeuvre in regional energy policy. Stuck between the EU and Russia, Turkey frequently seeks to play the two sides against each other. This balancing act undermines the credibility of Turkey’s commitment to energy cooperation.

This article is contained within a special issue entitled 'Dossier: Les 90 ans de la République de Turquie / 90 Years of the Republic of Turkey'.

CIFE: Information about L'Europe en Formation. Journal of Studies on European Integration and Federalism http://www.cife.eu/en/5/europe-en-formation_99-1

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