Turkish ministers break ground with Middle Eastern partners on nuclear energy and regional security

On Wednesday, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar and Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler returned from several days of extensive discussions with Iranian, Iraqi, and Syrian counterparts in Tehran on regional cooperation on protecting endangered animals, hydroelectric energy collaboration, and exploring the future of hyrdrocarbons and shared nuclear energy in the region. Minister Bayraktar characterized plans for mutual collaboration on hydroelectric power and hydrocarbon extraction as "productive." He furthermore added that "although the issue of nuclear energy is of course always a delicate one, there is no doubt that Turkish, Iranian, and Saudi scientists will be able to make swift progress toward our shared objectives."

Defense Minister Güler explained, "in a time of national crisis on our western border, we are glad to be able to cooperate on counter-terrorism and regional security with our neighbors in the Middle East. Although we have not all seen eye to eye on every issue, we were able to share warm memories of the late Foreign Minister's commitment to shared prosperity, security, and development over his favorite sharbat." The Defense Minister noted particular progress with the Syrian and Iraqi delegations on joint operations to root out Kurdish insurgent groups. He further insisted that, based on the talks, the Turkish military intends to play a lead role in the collaboration on nuclear energy to avert any reckless Iranian or Saudi unilateral moves toward weaponizing nuclear power in lieu of the defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The Syrian, Iraqi, and Iranian officials agreed to explore recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey's EEZ claims, and Turkish interests in northern Syria in exchange for Turkish collaboration on shared hydroelectric and nuclear power in the region. The officials also agreed to attend a ceremony in Turkey welcoming Ping Ping An An and other pandas loaned from China in honor of the late FM.