Ma'ariv: Nearby gas deal between Egypt, Israel

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv said that negotiations have progressed between Egypt and Israel over providing Israel with Egyptian gas. The deal is at a cost of 2 billion dollars covers the need of the Israeli electricity company for 15 years.

The Israeli - Egyptian EMG company which owns the license for gas, gave the draft contract for the Israeli electricity company. This company is due to provide Israel with 1.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

The draft contract was crystallized after two months from the persistence of the Israeli prime minister to reject cooperation with "British gas" company which is licensed to explore for gas in the coasts of Gaza under Palestinian Authority control. Sharon justified his rejection to prohibit the Palestinian authority from its share of any deal so as to avoid providing money to "terrorist sides."

The Israeli infrastructure minister Yosef Paritzki opposed Sharon's persistence to refuse dealing with the Palestinian on the issue of gas. He related his opposition to the belief that the Egyptians will refuse to provide Israel with gas amid the overwhelming unfavorable political conditions.