Israel buys Turkish waters

Israel announced yesterday finalizing an agreement to buy 15 million cubic meters of waters annually for 20 years in the first agreement of its kind following long negotiations between the two sides.

The two sides made an initial agreement in 2002 to export Turkish water to Israel but did only later agree on the price which was not disclosed.

Israel’s infrastructure minister, Yosef Paritzki, said on the sideline of an international economic conference organized by Istanbul chamber of commerce yesterday "I am hopeful over the possibility of starting to import water in the very near future." Replying a question on the cost of the deal which is due to be signed within the few coming days, he said " the best possible price was approved."

The Israeli official said what is left for the two sides is to make a decision over is how to transport the water which come from Manawgat river to the south of Turkey. Among the debated option is the use of tankers and the possibility of erecting a pipeline through Eastern Mediterranean. Replying to another question on erecting the pipeline, the Israeli official added "this might not be limited to transporting waters. He added "we think of that seriously. In addition to water we can also buy natural gas and then electricity."