Turkish president, Eastern Europe leaders seek new energy routes

Gul, accompanied by Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, and the leaders of the Baltic nations, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Poland, and Ukraine gathered for the first time to discuss joint energy projects, including proposed oil and gas pipelines.

The Turkish president emphasized Ankara's desire for a greater diplomatic role in the region, after his government earlier proposed a new forum for cooperation in the South Caucasus."The crisis which broke out last August in Georgia confirmed that unsolved conflicts in the region constitute a major threat from the perspective of security and stability," he was quoted by AFP as saying."Our idea is to transform the South Caucasus from a region that is known for its conflicts to a region that would set an example for cooperation," Gul said."Transportation of Caspian energy resources to European markets safely depends on maintenance of regional stability and establishment of good neighborly relations," Gul said.Gul said Turkey had developed East-West energy corridor with Azerbaijan, Georgia and the United States for it was situated in a region which had around two-thirds of oil and gas reserves in the world.Gul also said Turkey was holding talks with the Iraqi administration to pump Iraqi oil to Turkey and then connect it to the south corridor, and wished that the Iranian gas would also be included in the energy corridor."Turkey attaches importance to activating Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline to reduce traffic at the Turkish Straits," Gul said.Gul also said that activating this line was of vital importance for not only environmental and life security but also strengthening North-South corridor.SAAKASHVILI CONDEMNS RUSSIA

Saakashvili condemned Russian attacks during the August war over South Ossetia, which he said were meant to put in doubt the viability of energy routes through the Caucasus.

"This was clearly meant to send a warning to Europe that no matter what, Russia wants to control Europe's energy supplies," AFP quoted him as saying.

The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine have long met to discuss plans to strengthen the corridor of energy routes that passes from the energy-rich Caspian towards Europe, but Friday's meeting was the first time they were joined by Turkey.

Turkey has become a growing player in the Middle East and Caucasus energy trade.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, whose energy-rich country is at the centre of the group's efforts, said he was "looking forward to establishing broader energy partnerships in the region."

A U.S. delegation led by Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman also attended the summit.

Amid concerns in the region that U.S. president-elect Barack Obama will see the Caucasus and Eastern Europe as less of a priority, Bodman said he expected the next administration would stay engaged in the area.

"It is my firm belief that these efforts and this region of the world will also be a priority for the next administration," he said.

Washington has strongly backed routes for delivering Caspian oil and gas to Europe that bypass Russia including the European Unions flagship Nabucco gas pipeline and a proposed gas pipeline under the Caspian from Central Asia.

Russia has long insisted it is the dominant power in the Caucasus and fought a brief war with Azerbaijan's neighbor Georgia in August, raising concerns about the security of supplies through the Caucasus.

The summit follows the unveiling by the European Commission on Thursday of a new plan to boost energy supply security and cut back EU dependency on Russia.

The European Unions executive body said it wanted to strengthen crisis mechanisms and boost oil and gas stocks to respond to any disruption in supply.

The plan emphasized developing a "southern gas corridor" to transport supplies from the Caspian Sea and Middle East regions, bypassing Russia, as well as an energy ring linking Europe and southern Mediterranean countries.