On the sidelines of the climate conference in Sinai: Minister for Regional Cooperation Issawi Freej Today (Tuesday) at the climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, a memorandum of understanding was signed to promote the next phase of the water for electricity agreement with Jordan, under which Israel will work to desalinize water from the Mediterranean Sea for Jordan, and Jordan will work to generate electricity from solar energy for Israel.
The memorandum was signed when the parties met on the sidelines of the climate summit in Sharm, Egypt, in accordance with the declaration of principles signed between the countries of the United Arab Emirates last November, when the Minister of Energy, Karin Elhrer, Signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, alongside the Minister of Water of the Kingdom of Jordan Dr. Mohammed Al Najer, the US special climate envoy John Kerry and the Emirati climate envoy Sultan Al Jaber.
Within the framework of the agreement, the countries will work together in order to bring solutions to adapt and combat the effects of this climate crisis while taking advantage of each country’s relative advantages. The Kingdom of Jordan, which abounds in open areas, will generate electricity from solar energy for Israel, while Israel, which has one of the best water desalination capabilities in the world, will desalinate water for Jordan.
Minister Frij said: “Today we are leaving to the next government a legacy of cross-border regional cooperation that creates hope for the entire region, when countries join together to promote optimal utilization of natural resources. A legacy of action that proves the power of peace. Today’s event would not have happened without the vision and leadership of Energy Minister Karin Elharar who insisted on promoting this important agreement, its flagship project.”
Minister Elharer said: “When we started the project a year ago, we opened a new page in the relations between Israel and Jordan. The hard work since then in order to bring about the implementation of the project, led to a step up in the relationship of trust between the countries with the understanding that joint action against the effects of the climate crisis benefits the citizens of the region, and entails a geopolitical, economic and environmental opportunity .
“I thank my partners in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States who accompanied and continue to accompany the project in all its stages. I have every hope that the emerging government will adopt the project that I led and will not let any obstacle hinder its implementation, because it is a good project for all parties and crosses political opinions.”