Wednesday 6 August 2014

Turkey backs away from Israeli gas pipelines

Turkey is signalling it may back away from plans for a pipeline to Israel following the bloodshed in Gaza.

A pipeline bringing gas from Israel's Leviathan offshore gas field was on the cards, reported Turkey's English newspaper Hurriyet.

But on Monday (4 August 2014) Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said in a televised press conference a gas pipeline between the two countries was currently “out of the question”, reported Natural Gas Europe.

[caption id="attachment_79102" align="alignright" width="350"] Turkish Energy Minister, Taner Yildiz. Image: Turkish Energy Ministry[/caption]

Mr Yildiz said: “If a pipeline is built from Israel, it will flow not with gas but with the blood of innocent children and mothers,” reported Hurriyet.

He said the energy plan “could be talked about after everything has stabilised and calmed down.”

Yesterday a partial ceasefire between Israel and Gaza began, meant to last for three days.