Turkish, Belgian companies to work together in Iran

By Nuran Erkul

ANKARA

Energy companies from Turkey and Belgium will collaborate for natural gas power plant construction and renewable energy projects in Iran, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister said on Friday.

"With the lifting of the embargo on Iran, there will be many changes in the energy sector and we will see new investments in the country. Turkish and Belgian companies are already cooperating in a number of projects," Didier Reynders told Anadolu Agency.

In terms of Turkey- Russia relations, Reynders affirmed that Turkey is not the only country which has problems with Russia.

"Russia has tension with Ukraine and Syria, as well. We keep working to launch a new dialogue but Turkey, like other countries in the region, should continue their search for new energy sources," he stated.

"We seek another dimension in our relations"

Reynders, commenting on Turkey-EU relations, said that there are a number of topics which need to be addressed between Turkey and the EU.

"We should start a real dialogue and discuss competition, access to markets among other topics. We seek another dimension in our relations," Reynders concluded.

Turkey and EU will hold another summit on Mar. 18 to finalize decisions over the refugee crisis and financial support from the EU to Turkey to contain the refugee crisis and the proposed visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to Europe.