US supports Turkey, Israel energy efforts: US Amb.

By Ebru Sengul

ISTANBUL (AA) - The U.S. strongly supports the objective of peace and stability in the Middle East region from the meeting to discuss the proposal to carry Israeli gas to Europe via Turkey between the two energy ministers of both countries who met in Istanbul, John Bass, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

Speaking exclusively to Anadolu Agency (AA) at the World Energy Congress (WEC), of which AA is the global communication partner for 2016, Bass said that he was in Istanbul for the congress in part because of the importance of energy for all.

"It is a big piece of our strategic partnership with Turkey to cooperate on energy to promote economic development for both countries and to reinforce the importance of ensuring that all of our NATO allies and partners have access to a diverse set of supply and sources. We believe that is an important part of energy security," Bass explained.

"Seeing so many producing countries, consuming countries, companies involved in upstream, downstream and new technologies, all present in Istanbul is a reflection of how important Turkey is to all of these issues for the next generation," according to Bass.

"On top of that, to see the Israeli energy minister here today with the Turkish energy minister, talking about collaborative projects that will benefit both economies is an indicator of how energy can help promote peace and stability. We strongly support achieving those objectives," Bass said.

Diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel were disrupted in May 2010 when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists on an aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, heading for Gaza.

Turkey demanded the completion of a number of conditions -- an apology, the payment of compensation and the lifting of Israel’s Gaza blockade -- before the return of normal relations. Ankara now considers these terms fulfilled.

Bass commented on the possible gas pipeline project to carry Israeli gas to Europe via Turkey, and cautioned that it would be more important what the concerned companies of the project have to say regarding the commercial viability of the project and whether there is a market for the gas in Europe.

"That is in part a function of supply and demand, it is a function of future economic growth rates in Europe and demand for energy and it is a function of whether other suppliers out there can deliver the product and at what prices. But I think the really important thing is you have got so many people here today talking about the details and the merits of how it might happen," the U.S. ambassador said.

Turkish and Israeli companies are discussing a possible gas pipeline between Israel and Turkey to transport natural gas supplies to Europe from the Leviathan gas field, which holds an estimated 620 billion cubic meters of gas.

The prospect of carrying Israeli gas through Turkey topped the agenda on the visit of Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz to Istanbul for the 23rd World Energy Congress.

Bass also reiterated the U.S.'s strong commitment to negotiations on the island of Cyprus between all stakeholders to achieve a settlement - in which energy will also play a starring role.

"First and foremost, it is important that the parties on the island find an arrangement that is in accordance with a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. We see lots of opportunities and benefits flowing to both communities if they can achieve that goal," Bass added.

Energy cooperation, its access and the use of the energy resources in the economic area around Cyprus would be a key factor to accomplish that goal, he concluded.