Turkey has proposed building a $1.2 billion fuel pipeline for military use to supply NATO allies on the eastern European flank, Bloomberg reported Friday.

The proposed pipeline would reportedly run from Turkey to Romania via Bulgaria. Ankara plans to present the proposal ahead of the NATO summit it will host in July.

The report said the Turkish route could cost one-fifth of alternative proposals, including routes through Greece or Romania’s western neighbors. Those alternatives would rely on maritime transport, making them more vulnerable to disruption.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, including recent energy supply disruptions from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have led NATO to review its fuel supply infrastructure. The member states have been seeking a reliable and cost-effective supply chain for the alliance’s eastern members.

Turkey is seeking allied support for the proposal, which may be decided before or during the Ankara summit, the report said.

The planned pipeline would reportedly be restricted to military use, not civilian.
Source: Investing.com