The European Union's energy policy and Turkey's role in the energy supply security axis

Energy has a direct impact on the quality of life of people in a modern society. Increasing population and economic activities in the world also increase the energy demand, but the fact that fossil fuels, which constitute the main energy source of today, are under the control of a small number of countries with limited reserves, causes the energy supply security problem of those who need this resource. The European Union (EU), which is still the largest importer of global energy trade, today supplies more than half of its energy needs from external sources. Russia is by far the largest supplier, and this is considered an important risk for energy supply security. With a booming economy and growing population, Turkey is a candidate for membership is still highly dependent on external energy sources, such as the EU and in an effort to ensure the security of energy supply. In addition, it aims to become the energy distribution center of the region with its energy policy and pipeline strategy. On the other hand, thanks to its geostrategic location, it is a country that has the potential to realize hydrocarbon projects in the Caucasus, Caspian, Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, which the EU needs. Its place is defined in the "Energy Security Strategy Document" of the EU is as one of the strategic countries that require cooperation in energy as an alternative transmission route of energy resources. In this study, Turkey's role and importance in the EU's energy supply security policy will be investigated by descriptive method. In addition, it is aimed to make policy suggestions contributing to the process by evaluating the effect of the harmony between the energy policies followed by the parties on the future of bilateral relations.