Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM). 09-Dec-13
Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are set to sign an agreement in Washington today to lay a water pipeline linking the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.
The project, known as the Two Seas Canal, will carry 100 million cubic meters of water each year from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The idea for such a scheme was first raised when Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994 and during the past year the World Bank examined the possible environmental repercussions and overall feasibility of the project, paving the way for today’s agreement to be signed.
Infrastructure Minister Silvan Shalom will sign the deal on Israel’s behalf and told Army Radio this morning that “Today we are going to the signing ceremony which is nothing less than a historical development.” He emphasised that “The programme has garnered the Prime Minister’s support, along with the support of [PA President] Mahmoud Abbas among the Palestinians and of course the support of the King of Jordan.”
The entire pipeline will be laid in Jordanian territory and according to Yediot Ahronot, the project is designed to both replenish the shrinking Dead Sea and better meet the water requirements of Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians. Apparently, about 80 million cubic meters of water will be desalinated in a plant to be built in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. This water will be divided between Jordan and Israel, which will use it to supply the city of Eilat and the surrounding Arava region. The Palestinians and Jordanians will reportedly share another 50 million cubic meters of drinking water from Israel’s northern region.
It is hoped that international tenders will be issued for constructing the pipeline and desalination plant within the next year and barring delays, the entire project is scheduled to be completed within five years.
Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are set to sign an agreement in Washington today to lay a water pipeline linking the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.
The project, known as the Two Seas Canal, will carry 100 million cubic meters of water each year from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The idea for such a scheme was first raised when Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994 and during the past year the World Bank examined the possible environmental repercussions and overall feasibility of the project, paving the way for today’s agreement to be signed.
Infrastructure Minister Silvan Shalom will sign the deal on Israel’s behalf and told Army Radio this morning that “Today we are going to the signing ceremony which is nothing less than a historical development.” He emphasised that “The programme has garnered the Prime Minister’s support, along with the support of [PA President] Mahmoud Abbas among the Palestinians and of course the support of the King of Jordan.”
The entire pipeline will be laid in Jordanian territory and according to Yediot Ahronot, the project is designed to both replenish the shrinking Dead Sea and better meet the water requirements of Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians. Apparently, about 80 million cubic meters of water will be desalinated in a plant to be built in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. This water will be divided between Jordan and Israel, which will use it to supply the city of Eilat and the surrounding Arava region. The Palestinians and Jordanians will reportedly share another 50 million cubic meters of drinking water from Israel’s northern region.
It is hoped that international tenders will be issued for constructing the pipeline and desalination plant within the next year and barring delays, the entire project is scheduled to be completed within five years.
No comments:
Post a Comment