Israel’s gas ‘can be transferred to Turkey in 2 to 3 years’

ANKARA/ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

One of the best three options to carry Israel’s natural gas to Europe is the route from Turkey to Europe, which is possible within two to three years, the director general of the Israeli Energy Ministry said April 27.

During the “Boosting Regional Energy Partnerships and Trade in the Eastern Mediterranean” session at the Atlantic Council Istanbul Summit, Shaul Meridor confirmed Israel’s large-scale natural gas discoveries in recent years, saying they need to be transported to European markets.

“To carry natural gas to Europe, there are three routes for consideration by the state of Israel, the Turkish route; the eastern route and through LNG terminals in Egypt,” he said, adding that the Turkish option is on the table as well. 

“Natural gas can be carried and used in Turkey’s domestic market as well as in neighboring countries,” he said. 

Deputy Undersecretary of Turkey’s Energy Ministry Alparslan Bayraktar noted that three main principles should be considered in any new gas development project in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

“These principles that govern gas transmission assert that any project should be mutually beneficial to all concerned, that Turkey’s security of supply should be taken into account and lastly, security of supply for Europe is achieved,” he said.  

He said peace, prosperity and stability in the region from Israel to Turkey, through Turkey to Europe, are possible with the proposed gas projects.

Bayraktar reiterated the key issues in Turkey’s energy policy. “Security of supply, localization and the expansion of a predictable energy market structure,” he said. 

He added that Turkey is firstly aiming to meet the challenge of growing demand, and secondly is addressing its reliance on imported resources.

“According to International Energy Agency data, Turkey is facing fast growing energy demand in the medium and long run,” he said, adding that 70 percent of energy resources are imported, which is causing an account deficit in the economy. 

He stressed that to overcome this over-dependence on imports, the country is actively seeking solutions through the use of alternative domestic resources, mainly coal and renewables.

On Oct. 13, 2016, Israel’s Energy Minister visited Istanbul to attend the World Energy Congress 2016, marking the first visit by Israel after several years.