Turkmen Gas to Flow to Turkey Starting March 2025

 Turkmen Gas to Flow to Turkey Starting March 2025

After 27 years of negotiations, Turkey and Turkmenistan have finalized an agreement for the supply of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey. According to the deal signed between BOTAŞ (Turkey’s state-owned pipeline company) and Türkmengaz, gas deliveries are set to begin on March 1, 2025.

Historic Agreement After 27 Years
The groundwork for the deal was laid during a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in March 2024. During the talks, the two leaders signed agreements to enhance cooperation in natural gas and oil, with a focus on transporting Turkmenistan’s vast natural gas reserves to Turkey and onward to European markets.

In July 2024, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar visited Turkmenistan to advance discussions, culminating in a critical memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BOTAŞ and Türkmengaz. This agreement marks the start of a new era in energy collaboration between the two nations.

Gas Flow to Begin in March 2025
Under the finalized terms, natural gas deliveries from Turkmenistan to Turkey will commence on March 1, 2025. Energy Minister Bayraktar announced the milestone via social media, stating:
“Today, we have achieved the concrete outcome of the memorandum of understanding signed in Antalya last March in the presence of President Erdoğan and Chairman Berdimuhammedov. This agreement advances our cooperation in the natural gas sector, with gas flow scheduled to begin on March 1, 2025.”

Strengthening Energy Ties
The agreement underscores Turkey’s strategic role as a key energy corridor connecting Central Asia to Europe. Turkmenistan, home to the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, aims to diversify its export routes through Turkey, while Ankara seeks to bolster its energy security and regional influence.

The deal also reflects deepening bilateral ties between Turkey and Turkmenistan, two Turkic states with shared cultural and economic interests. The collaboration is expected to pave the way for further joint projects in energy infrastructure and trade.

Key Participants

• Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey

• Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan

• Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

• BOTAŞ and Türkmengaz delegations

The agreement marks a historic milestone in regional energy diplomacy, positioning Turkey as a critical hub for Eurasian energy transit.