ANKARA - Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Tuesday that selling ''Manavgat Peace Water'' to Israel was an instrument to bring stability and peace to the region.
National Infrastructure Minister Joseph Paritzky of Israel visited Guler.
Guler said after the meeting that they mainly discussed energy issues and joint projects.
Guler said that an Israeli delegation would come to Turkey regarding Manavgat Peace Water issue next month.
Guler said, ''Israel wants to buy electricity, natural gas, oil and water from Turkey with a single project. Feasibility activities of this project continue at the moment and we will act accordingly with these feasibility activities. Meanwhile, we consider the selling of Manavgat Peace Water to Israel as an instrument to bring stability and peace to the region. We consider this as an appropriate instrument. Thus, we think that peace and stability will come to region by the development of this dialogue. Thus, we consider this as a dialogue element.''
When recalled Israeli soldiers' attack to Rafah refugee camp and asked what would be the attitude of Energy Ministry if relations between Turkey and Israel became weak, Guler said that energy issue was an international issue, adding, ''thus, we consider this not only as a technical, investment and commercial issue but also as an instrument which will further develop peace process.''
When a reporter said, ''Turkey is expected to take a stance towards Israel after the events that happened in Palestine refugee camp. Can Manavgat Project be suspended?'' Guler said that the project has a framework agreement and the details would be discussed in coming months.
Paritzky said that he hoped that Manavgat Project would be put into practice soon.
Paritzky said that the project would contribute to peace and this increased the value of the project.
Paritzky said that Israel and Palestine need water and they wanted to live in peace, but unfortunately there were terrorist activities in the region, adding that those activities should end. He said that when those activities ended, they would start commercial relations with Palestine and they would share water again.
(GC-AY) 25.05.2004