“It is too early to say that we have found oil. I wish I could announce such news. However, unless we see oil bursting out, I cannot confirm such information. Our studies continue with hope, faith and a little bit of insistence,” Yıldız told reporters Sunday in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri.
Yıldız said the Türk Petrolleri General Directorate acted too early in announcing a discovery in Sürmene, a district in the northern province of Trabzon. The minister said oil exploration activities were continuing in five or six different locations in the region.
Nuclear plant talks
Yıldız also said the negotiations between Turkey and Japan on the construction of nuclear power plants had been affected by the tsunami disaster that recently hit the country.
Responding to questions regarding the nuclear issue, Yıldız said Japanese officials had requested extra time from their Turkish counterparts for nuclear talks as their country was currently dealing with the consequences of last month’s major earthquake and resultant tsunami.
“We have told our Japanese counterparts that we will of course give them the time they requested as a matter of international courtesy, diplomacy and humanity,” the minister said.
Kiyoshi Araki, Japan’s ambassador to Turkey, visited the ministry several times to discuss the time request but did not mention an exact date for the talks to restart, Yıldız said.
“The talks would start in April. We hope that it will begin in a few months,” he said.
April 10, 2011
SOURCE: HURRIYET DAILY NEWS
