U.S. Vision for Mideast Stability Runs Through Gas Pipelines
- Countries would gain from diversifying supply, diplomat says
- Line connecting Israel, Turkey would require Cyprus deal first
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The potential to benefit from new gas discoveries has created a rare opportunity for eastern Mediterranean countries including Israel and Turkey to forge closer ties, according to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s envoy on energy affairs.
Countries in the region must work together if they hope to unlock multibillion dollar gas discoveries in Israel and Cyprus, US diplomat Amos Hochstein said in a telephone interview. As Israel looks to develop its offshore Leviathan gas field, it’s considering a pipeline to Turkey -- a strong energy consumer as well as a portal to European markets -- while mulling an undersea pipeline to Egyptian liquefaction terminals.