Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said Tuesday "the government's priority is the country's national interests."

Reminded by a journalist about U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson's suggestions for Turkey to abandon cooperation with Iran on energy issues, Guler stressed that "Turkey's national interests are the priority of the government."

Hilmi Guler received United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Kandeh Yumkella and an accompanying delegation in Ankara on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting that was closed to the press, Guler said that Yumkella and he discussed especially the projects being carried on at the Hydrogen Energy Technology Center in Istanbul.

"Rising oil prices and global warming necessitate the utilization of hydrogen energy. We plan to generate hydrogen energy and use it for our energy needs," Guler said.

UNIDO Director General Yumkella stressed that hyrdogen energy is the one to be used mostly in the future.

"We pay high attention to the utilization of hydrogen energy," Yumkella said.

Asked if U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson made suggestions for Turkey to end cooperation with Iran on energy matters, Guler replied that "from time to time certain implications are being made. At this point, our priority is the national interests of Turkey. There are projects that began prior to us and will continue after us. We are a strong state with a long tradition."


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Güncelleme Tarihi: 17 Haziran 2008, 16:59