Turkey energy imports plunged by 28% in 2016February 2, 2017 - 13:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's energy imports fell by 28.2 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, Anadolu Agency reported citing TurkStat data. The data showed that Turkey's overall imports in 2016 amounted to $198.6 billion in comparison to $207.23 billion in 2015. The country aims to increase the share of local resources such as coal and renewables in its energy mix and has recently speeded up steps towards this goal to decrease its energy import bill. Therefore, the country's energy import bill decreased gradually. In 2015, with low oil prices, Turkey’s energy import bill totaled $37.8 billion, compared to $54.9 in 2014 and $55.91 in 2013. Turkey, as an import-dependent country for energy, imports over 90 percent of its crude oil needs. In the Turkish Development Ministry's recently released mid-term program for 2017-2019, Turkey's energy imports are predicted to further decrease. Crude oil imports saw a decrease last year compared to 2015. Crude oil imports in 2016 realized 24.95 million tonnes as opposed to 25.06 million for 2015, showing a 0.4 percent decline. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |