Energy attaches are under way

Energy Ministry is planning to extend its international presence via 'energy attachés'. Senior diplomats will inform Ankara about latest developments on oil, natural gas and nuclear energy.

Ankara is preparing a new plan as it aims to be a stronger player on the international energy arena along with other super powers and global firms. According to rumours spread through halls of Foreign Ministry, energy consultants and attaches will be assigned to Turkish embassies and consulates in a very near future. Energy diplomats will be chosen among Energy and Foreign Ministry bureaucrats. These experts are expected to be sent initially to the US, Russia, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, China and Qatar.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who considers energy as one of the main elements of foreign policy, and Energy Minister Taner Yıldız will work together to materialize this project. Yıldız has been studying this project, which aims to send specialist diplomats to send major countries that controls the global energy market, for a long time. Yıldız met with Davutoglu and reportedly said the energy attaches should not necessarily be from energy ministry and foreign ministry personnel could also carry out this task after a thorough training. This would speed up the process. Davutoglu also approved the project and now eyes turned to Ministry of Finance. Because its approval is also necessary to appoint new staff for these positions.

Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek is also expected to approve this request.

In Turkish embassies and consulates various attaches from various ministries already working. Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry, Customs and Trade Ministry, Education Ministry, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Agriculture and Religious Affairs Authority employ consultants at foreign missions. Recently, Ministry of Judiciary also signed a protocol on April 12, 2012 with Foreign Ministry for sending judges and prosecutors to embassies and consulates. (May 27 2012, Vatan)