It has become even more crucial as a potential transit route for Europe-bound natural gas from energy-rich Azerbaijan and Central Asia, as well as from Iraq (and eventually Iran).

• 土耳其可能会承担起输气任务，从能源丰富的阿塞拜疆，中亚，以及伊拉克（最远可至伊朗）将天然气输入欧洲，这使得它的地位更加重要。