Russia is the world’s biggest hydrocarbon producer, and China is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing energy markets. The two are neighbors, yet their energy relationship is very thin. Instead, they compete for vast and largely unexplored Central Asian resources.

An EU-Turkey foreign policy dialogue would help prevent Turkey’s EU accession process from breaking down and address Turkey’s rising status as a regional power and an independent international player.

Turkey’s AKP referendum victory on constitutional reform could result in measures revitalizing the country’s bid for EU membership. However, the referendum could also deepen Turkey’s political divisions.