Position of the Caspian oil in Turkey?s energy policies

Energy is a determinant factor of foreign policy. After the collapse of Soviet Union: Russia has lost his influence on Caucasian and Centre Asian region. This caused for new geopolitical gaps in the Caspian region, which has rich oil and gas sources. Also, balance of powers has been changed and the region becomes a global market to share. Also Instabilities in the Middle East have oriented states to the Caspian Basin, rich on petrol and natural gas resources, to provide their energy needs.Caspian Region is on its way to become second Persian Gulf with its rich oil and gas sources. Not only with its geopolitical importance, but also with the owning of critical energy sources, Caspian is becoming complicated balance including global actors, which are able to shape global politics and economy, recently.Turkey is a natural bridge between the energy producer Asian countries and energy consumer European countries. %70 of the known oil and gas reserves of the world is situated in Turkey?s neighboring regions- the Caspian Countries and Middle East Countries. Although Turkey is not an energy producer country, it has the potential to play an important role over energy policies owing to its position as a transit country. In recent years, Turkey has taken significant steps joining the pipeline projects in order to have the transit country position.In this study, by emphasizing on the historical, geographical and geopolitical structure and status of the Caspian Basin, approaches of coastal countries and attitudes of other states to this status are examined. Alternative routes to export Caspian oil, especially the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline, the most important route that offers this oil on Turkey to world markets, and the role of Caspian oil in terms of Turkey Energy Policy are evaluated.Keywords: Energy, Energy Resources, Oil, Caspian Regions Energy Resources, Caspian?s statute issue, Struggle of Influence, Pipelines, Turkey?s Energy Policy, Baku ? Ceyhan Oil Pipeline