Following continued progress in the natural gas sector, Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz spoke today in a radio interview about the negotiations with Turkey for exports of gas from the Leviathan reservoir.
Steinitz was responding to a Channel 10 report yesterday that after years of hostility, Israel and Turkey were close to regularizing their relations and an exchange of ambassadors. "The report is correct in general. I thought this could be finished before the Passover holiday, but then Turkey formed a new government, and that perhaps delayed matters somewhat. I think we've resolved 90% of the issues."
What is left to solve?
"I won't go into details; the negotiations are very sensitive. There is an enormous joint interest here."
Maybe the Turks don't want it so much.
"The Turks want it. We see that in what Erdogan has said."
Steinitz added, "The economic situation in Israel is very difficult. After the road was opened for development of Leviathan, one of the ways to develop it is through gas exports. One of the most attractive markets around is Turkey. We have a huge economic interest here."
How far away is it? Will it be finished by the Shavuot holiday?
"I very much hope so."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 2, 2016
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