Turkey will be the primary user of Cyprus gas, PM Davutoğlu says

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu highlighted Nov. 22 the importance of the use of Cyrpus's natural resources for peace, adding that Turkey would be the primary user of gas coming out of the divided island.

Davutoğlu made the remarks in a speech at the closing session of the sixth Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul.

"Everyone will gain in Cyprus if both sides accept that natural sources around the island belong to all sides. Peace should be achieved without delay," he said.

He called for restarting negotiations over the issue. "Let's use this opportunity for the solution of this issue," he said.

The prime minister also referred to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline spanning the Caspian and the Mediterranean. He called on Armenia to remain peaceful when Caspian oil gets transferred to Europe.

"Energy is a great value for us; it should be used for the prosperity of humanity. When it is used as a tool for conflict, there will be no winners in the long term," Davutoğlu said.

Davutoğlu also said energy-related issues would top Turkey's agenda during its G20 presidency term.    

Turkey is set to take over the 2015 term-presidency of the G20 group in December.

"When we start our G20 presidency, we plan to take steps in energy security, which is indeed a guarantee for stability. We want to be a bridge of peace... Energy should not be seen as a weapon for conflicts, it should be seen as a facilitator to further improve the well-being of people," he said.

He added that energy was essential for all countries.

"Around half of humanity does not have access to power. When we start our G20 presidency, we will take steps to improve the situation for all humanity,...