Turkey Roundup: Nuclear power plant, Putin's visit to Turkey, Arab League summit
Nuclear power plant
The construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is currently facing delays. Siemens Energy is reportedly withholding critical parts required by Russia's Rosatom, which is now seeking alternatives from Chinese manufacturers. According to The Jerusalem Post, despite Turkey's energy minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, asserting that substitutes have been identified by Rosatom, the failure to deliver components from Siemens is likely to defer the reactor's operational timeline by several months. Originally expected to commence in 2023, Turkey's nuclear ambitions are further complicated by ongoing customs challenges related to German exports, as noted by President Tayyip Erdogan.
Arab League summit
In a separate development, Syria's delegation notably exited the Arab League summit in Cairo during Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's address. This act of protest underscores the prevailing tensions between Turkey and various Arab nations, despite Ankara's recent attempts to normalise relations and mend diplomatic ties. The episode reveals ongoing discussions within the Arab League regarding Turkey's role and influence in the region, particularly in light of Syria's re-admission to the bloc last year, Medya News reports.
Putin's visit to Turkey
Additionally, Vladimir Putin's planned visit to Turkey has been repeatedly postponed due to concerns over potential assassination threats from Ukraine. Reports indicate that Putin has requested Russian fighter jets for escort services during his journey, a request that presents operational challenges for Turkey, considering its NATO affiliation. Furthermore, security apprehensions have led to demands for alternate accommodations, specifically government guest houses instead of conventional hotels, with concerns being expressed about U.S.-owned properties, Express news report indicates.
Billets imports
In terms of trade, Turkey's imports of billets and blooms experienced noteworthy fluctuations in July 2023, amounting to 261,251 metric tons. This figure marks a significant 58.9% increase from the preceding month but reflects a 7.8% decline compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, from January to July, imports dropped by 29.5%, totalling 1,584,972 metric tons, with the import value decreasing by 33.0% to $903.28 million. According to Steel Orbis, Russia retained its status as the leading supplier, contributing 321,417 metric tons, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia. The data indicates a stark trend of diminishing imports and revenue year-on-year.
Air defence system
On a more technical front, Turkey has successfully completed its Çelik Kubbe (Steel Dome) air defence system, a significant step towards bolstering national security via sophisticated multilayered protections. Designed collaboratively by Aselsan, Roketsan, and TÜBİTAK SAGE, the system aims to integrate a variety of air defence resources while employing artificial intelligence for centralised oversight and real-time situational awareness, Defense News indicates. The structure of the Steel Dome encompasses three distinct layers: short-range defences (Korkut guns and Sungur missiles), medium-range capacities (Hisar A+ and Hisar O missiles), and an outer layer for long-range engagements (SİPER missiles).
