The energy relations between Turkey and Kurdish Regional Government: Opportunities and challenges

In this thesis, bilateral energy relations between Turkey and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has been analyzed using constructivist theory. The research has been relied on several face-to-face unstructured interviews with decision makers, experts, academicians, journalists and politicians as well as related written documents and books. This thesis argues that the energy relations between Turkey and KRG is highly related with their political relations. The thesis has been argued that firstly the improved energy relations between Turkey and KRG would result in more benefit for both sides. Secondly, the strong diplomatic and political relations between Turkey and KRG are factors that work for building and developing the energy relations between the two parties. In other words, political and security-led challenges could become serious obstacle for the improvement of the energy relations. Keywords: Turkey, Iraq, KRG, energy relations