UPI: EU, Turkey discuss natural gas ties

European and Turkish leaders aim to develop a road map for the safe transport of natural gas, visiting officials to Istanbul said.

Gunther Oettinger, the European commissioner for Energy, joined Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule for meetings in Istanbul.

The European Union said the EU and Turkish officials discussed the importance of an open energy relationship. Both sides agreed that closer cooperation in infrastructure and secure transport of natural gas was beneficial to the region. 

"A joint working group will now start to develop a road map by May 2012 to identify the concrete actions for intensified cooperation in agreed areas," the EU stated.  MORE