17.01.2005, 23:25
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on Saturday discussed possible energy projects with Turkey during a brief stay in Ankara on his way to tsunami-hit Thailand, his first stop in a five-nation Asian tour.
Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said after meeting with Martin at Ankara airport that Canada was willing to invest in energy projects in the country, Anatolia news agency reported.
"They are particularly interested in hydroelectric and coal power plants," Guler told reporters.
Ankara is also planning to build three nuclear power plants over the next few years that should become operative from 2011 to avoid a possible energy shortage.
In 2000, Canadian company AECL vied with Westinghouse of the United States and NPI of France in a tender to build a nuclear plant on Turkey's southern coast, but Ankara abandoned the project amid financial troubles and protests from environmentalists and neighboring countries.
Martin's tour will also take him to Sri Lanka, India, Japan and China.
Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said after meeting with Martin at Ankara airport that Canada was willing to invest in energy projects in the country, Anatolia news agency reported.
"They are particularly interested in hydroelectric and coal power plants," Guler told reporters.
Ankara is also planning to build three nuclear power plants over the next few years that should become operative from 2011 to avoid a possible energy shortage.
In 2000, Canadian company AECL vied with Westinghouse of the United States and NPI of France in a tender to build a nuclear plant on Turkey's southern coast, but Ankara abandoned the project amid financial troubles and protests from environmentalists and neighboring countries.
Martin's tour will also take him to Sri Lanka, India, Japan and China.