The role of energy security in Turkish foreign policy (2004–2016)

Abstract

Energy security is a growing concern not only for Turkey but also for many energy-import-dependent countries. This chapter examines how the role of energy security in Turkish foreign policy is constituted by material interests and ideational forces since March 2004. The chapter is divided into three sections. The section ‘Turkey’s energy security and its asymmetric interdependence with gas suppliers’ defines energy-import-dependency of Turkey and reviews the priorities in building pipeline projects since the start of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, while the section ‘Regional economic interdependence and Turkey’s energy security: ideational forces and material interests’ presents the material interests and ideational forces that constituted the role of energy security in Turkish foreign policy. Finally, the section ‘Shared material interests in booming exports to energy-rich neighbours’ concludes with the examination of the case study to identify challenges and opportunities in enhancing the role of energy security in Turkish foreign policy.