ANKARA - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler received ambassadors of Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan in Ankara on Wednesday prior to his visit to Israel.
Replying questions of reporters after the meeting which was close to press, Energy and Natural Resources Ministry Undersecretary Sami Demirbilek recalled that there was a project for sale of Manavgat River's water to Israel, adding, ''nowadays, we are trying to sign a framework agreement on sale of Manavgat water to Israel. However, this framework agreement does not include elements like price and amount. It is a framework agreement on trade of water between the two countries.''
''Here we have extra capacity. We don't allocate Manavgat only to Israel. We held this meeting to see whether also they demand Manavgat water, tell them that we can give extra capacity also to them and know about their sensitivities and concerns about the issue if they do so,'' he said.
When asked whether or not ambassadors had expressed any concern, Demirbilek said, ''no, they do not feel any concern. However, ex-president Turgut Ozal's Peace Water project was mentioned again, but it costs high. If there is a beginning with allocation of Manavgat to Israel, then there may be a message to other countries about implementation of Peace Water Project.''
When asked whether Turkish side or ambassadors brought Peace Water Project onto agenda, Demirbilek said that ambassadors firstly brought onto agenda and added that Turkish side was also thinking to bring the issue onto agenda.
Emphasizing that the issue was not only selling of Manavgat water, Demirbilek said that Turkey wanted to decrease the tension which increased due to water issue in Middle East.
Demirbilek said that they tried to see the realities of a situation if Turkey became useful in decreasing the tension regarding Manavgat issue and added that they tried to take the suggestions and views of ambassadors.
When asked whether the ambassadors had concerns regarding Israel visit, Demirbilek said that this issue had been on the agenda for eight months and recalled that signing of a framework agreement was in question during Turkey visit of Israeli President.
Noting that Turkish side was trying to find an indication about the amount and price of the water that Israel would buy, Demirbilek said that on the other hand, Israeli side defended that it would be meaningless to discuss amount and price without a framework agreement.
Demirbilek went on as saying: ''We told the ambassadors that we sign framework agreement, so let us remove Israel's pretexts to start talks on price and amount, and let us see their seriousness. We want to remove the accusations that either of the two sides were not serious on the issue. We aim to bring a positive atmosphere in relations in the Middle East.
When asked whether or not Energy Minister and him had scheduled foreign trade visit apart from Israel, Demirbilek said they were about to prepare 2004 program.
Stating that they planned to solve the problems of the ministry till 2004, Demirbilek said neither him nor the minister favored visits abroad.
Palestinian Ambassador Fouad Yaseen said it was a very beneficial visit, and noted that they discussed how peace could be settled in the region and what would be the role of water in installation of peace.
When asked about Turkey's sending of soldiers to Iraq, Yaseen said Palestinians wanted to see peace and stability in the region, and that they considered positive all the efforts in this respect.
(MS-GC-AY-AÖ) 13.08.2003