Turkish- Israeli cooperation

The Turkish daily al-Zamman ( the times) quoted the Turkish minister of state responsible for villages and rural areas affairs Mustafa Yalmaz as saying that the administration of the GAB project, to the Southern East of Turkey is technically cooperating with the government and private establishments in Israel in a way similar to its cooperation with other international cooperation. The Turkish minister denied any Israeli investment at this project at the meantime or for the long run.

The paper noted that the statement of the Turkish minister was made in reply to inquiries raised by one member of al-" Fadila" opposition Turkish party on the Israeli interest in " Gab project to the southern east of Anadolia.

The paper added the irrigation project of "Byake" Plain which falls in the course of the lower Euphrates project offered the Israeli " Tahal" company, noting that financial and technical discussions on this project were completed and that it will be completed by the year 2004.

The paper added that the administration of GAB project cooperates with the Israeli Mashaf company in order to organize training seminars for governmental officials of the two countries on this project. It indicated a technical cooperation to be carried out by the two Turkish companies Kotche Wata with Israel with the aim of setting up a consumer complex in Harran Plain in Orfa province at a cost of $ 17 million where 4 Israeli engineers are working.