Energy and environment in Turkish-Bulgarian relations

Abstract

This paper focuses on the changing role of energy and environment in Turkish-Bulgarian relations since the second half of the 2010s. The energy ties between the two countries strengthened since then after reaching at least two critical milestones. The first is the synchronous integration of Turkey’s electricity grid to the EU power transmission network, and the second is the TurkStream natural gas pipeline that extends towards Bulgaria. These two crucial developments necessitated Turkey’s energy laws to be in harmony with the EU regulations. On the other hand, Turkey’s environmental policies are not fully harmonious with the EU policies and rules, and bilateral environmental relations remain relatively immature. This paper compares the three aspects of Turkey’s relations with Bulgaria, i.e., natural gas trade, electricity trade, transboundary rivers. The paper investigates the perceptions and opinions of politicians, media, civil society, and political parties about energy trade and transboundary water issues. It focuses on the fundamental laws, regulations, documents, and reports of the energy and environment regulators. The paper argues that the high level of integration in the sphere of energy trade (natural gas and electricity) is boosted by mutual economic gains. As energy and environment constitute a nexus, advanced bilateral energy relations will likely to have spillover impacts on the environmental sphere during Turkey’s EU accession.