Israel, PA sign energy cooperation accord

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to share electricity grids, set up a joint regulatory authority on energy, and study the possibility of establishing a central power station.

"This is only the first of other accords, and it was negotiated during horrible times," said National Infrastructure Minister Yosef Paritzky. He signed the agreement with Palestinian Energy Minister Azzam Shawwa in Rome.

The agreement came at the end of a two-day meeting on energy cooperation of the so-called Euro-Med group, which comprises the 33 countries in Europe, North Africa, and Middle East.

Agreements were also signed to link the power networks of North Africa with Europe through Spain and to develop a gas-transport corridor through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Austria.

Jerusalem Post