Berat Albayrak

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an will visit four West African countries next week, in a new sign of Ankara's desire to be a major influence in the region.

The conclusion of an arbitration case between Turkey and Iran represents a new beginning to boosting ties in this field, according to Iran's ambassador to Turkey, Ali Reza Bikdeli, who spoke at a press meeting on Feb. 3. 

The International Court of Arbitration has ruled against Iran in its gas dispute with Turkey, Shana news agency quoted the managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company, Hamid-Reza Araqi, as saying Feb. 2.

The Turkish government has been working on a plan to cut natural gas prices amid the global energy plunge, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak said on Jan. 27. 

The integration of the Turkish energy market with the European Union will be in the focus of the first EU-Turkey High-Level Energy Dialogue on Thursday and Friday, the European Commission has announced.

EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete would travel to Istanbul to enhance the EU's strategic energy partnership with Turkey, the EU executive body said in a statement.

Poor infrastructure is to blame for recent electricity cuts across Turkey, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak has said, noting that the government would modernize over 85 percent of the infrastructure for 18 billion Turkish Liras.

The minister said the outmoded and inefficient physical infrastructure had played a huge role in triggering power cuts across Turkey, according to sources. 

Former Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet ?im?ek will be in charge of the economy in a new cabinet named by Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu on Nov. 24, becoming deputy prime minister in a team which saw close allies of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an take key ministerial posts. 

Questions have arisen over the possible future cabinet role of former Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, after he failed to attend the G-20 Summit in Antalya. 

Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Aykut Erdo?du has claimed that names close to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an have caused the Turkish state to lose $17.5 billion. As the Treasury's former chief inspector, Erdo?du had headed the CHP's "Corruption Investigation Department" during the last parliamentary term. He also holds a Certified Internal Auditor certificate. 

For the first time since it?s founding in 2001, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) held its regular congress without the presence of its founding leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, but he made his clout felt with loyal names elected to the party?s decision-making body, overshadowing Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu?s preferences after the latter?s reelection as AKP leader.