3
Energy resources, or more precisely energy diplomacy in the current international system, have become an instrument of efficiency and energy supply as part of
the means which governments use to make policies, such as various economic
instruments, military power, and diplomatic tactics (Shaffer 2009:1).
According to this view, while the international status of countries in history
depended on military power, currently there are other factors that play a role in
determining the ranking of countries in the international hierarchy of power. In
addition, the conditions have already emerged in which the economic security of the
countries has surpassed military security, and since energy security is defined as a
constituent of the country’s economic security, the achievement of countries in
terms of energy security is, of course, more important than military security (Orban
2008:8).
Hallmarks of Energy Diplomacy
It would be an oversimplification to refer to energy diplomacy as simply the course
of conducting international affairs in a way aimed at shoring up energy security, or
as the platform via which international affairs are conducted in the field of energy.
Rather, it is more appropriate to conceive of it as the multifaceted activities of state
forces and actors aimed at contributing to the achievement of strategic goals and
foreign objectives. Energy diplomacy is a long-term component of the general foreign policy of a country.
At this point however it is worth listing the few notable differences energy diplomacy possesses compared to traditional diplomacy:
• Whilst traditional diplomacy engages in short term goals, energy diplomacy
always values far-reaching continuation with long-term goals in mind.
• The objectives of energy diplomacy are more complicated than those of traditional diplomacy.
• Whilst short-term cooperation and conflict constitute an element of traditional
diplomacy, energy diplomacy is a process in which foreign policy goals are evaluated in terms of how they may support or impede that process.
• Certain actors involved in energy diplomacy would never be encountered in traditional diplomacy.
• Given the long-term nature of its objectives, forward-planning is a cornerstone of
energy diplomacy. And so it follows that decision makers working in energy
diplomacy must foster close ties with experts and think tanks researching into
future trends and possibilities.
• Continuity is a key element coveted by those who forward energy diplomacy.
(www.mfa.gov.tr 2016)
Indeed, energy and energy transmission lines provide a stable, long-term partnership and interconnectedness by providing an appropriate environment for regional
cooperation and providing a good environment for attracting foreign investment.
Hallmarks of Energy Diplomacy
Energy resources, or more precisely energy diplomacy in the current international system, have become an instrument of efficiency and energy supply as part of
the means which governments use to make policies, such as various economic
instruments, military power, and diplomatic tactics (Shaffer 2009:1).
According to this view, while the international status of countries in history
depended on military power, currently there are other factors that play a role in
determining the ranking of countries in the international hierarchy of power. In
addition, the conditions have already emerged in which the economic security of the
countries has surpassed military security, and since energy security is defined as a
constituent of the country’s economic security, the achievement of countries in
terms of energy security is, of course, more important than military security (Orban
2008:8).
Hallmarks of Energy Diplomacy
It would be an oversimplification to refer to energy diplomacy as simply the course
of conducting international affairs in a way aimed at shoring up energy security, or
as the platform via which international affairs are conducted in the field of energy.
Rather, it is more appropriate to conceive of it as the multifaceted activities of state
forces and actors aimed at contributing to the achievement of strategic goals and
foreign objectives. Energy diplomacy is a long-term component of the general foreign policy of a country.
At this point however it is worth listing the few notable differences energy diplomacy possesses compared to traditional diplomacy:
• Whilst traditional diplomacy engages in short term goals, energy diplomacy
always values far-reaching continuation with long-term goals in mind.
• The objectives of energy diplomacy are more complicated than those of traditional diplomacy.
• Whilst short-term cooperation and conflict constitute an element of traditional
diplomacy, energy diplomacy is a process in which foreign policy goals are evaluated in terms of how they may support or impede that process.
• Certain actors involved in energy diplomacy would never be encountered in traditional diplomacy.
• Given the long-term nature of its objectives, forward-planning is a cornerstone of
energy diplomacy. And so it follows that decision makers working in energy
diplomacy must foster close ties with experts and think tanks researching into
future trends and possibilities.
• Continuity is a key element coveted by those who forward energy diplomacy.
(www.mfa.gov.tr 2016)
Indeed, energy and energy transmission lines provide a stable, long-term partnership and interconnectedness by providing an appropriate environment for regional
cooperation and providing a good environment for attracting foreign investment.
Hallmarks of Energy Diplomacy