The Israeli government has finally approved the common maritime border agreement with Lebanon, paving the way for signature. This is a diplomatic achievement, Israeli Prime Minister Jair Lapid said at the start of the special cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Thursday. “It is not every day that a hostile country recognizes the State of Israel in a written agreement for the international community.”
Officially, both countries are at war. The agreements, signed separately by Israel and Lebanon, were due to be handed over to US mediator Amos Hochstein this afternoon by negotiating teams at a UN base in Nakura, southern Lebanon.
Schallenberg welcomes agreement
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) welcomed the agreement. This will benefit both countries “in terms of security policy and economy,” according to a Thursday broadcast. “Given the political, economic and humanitarian downward spiral in which Lebanon finds itself, this is a much-needed glimmer of hope. I hope that further courageous steps will follow towards the necessary reforms,” said Schallenberg.
The agreement puts an end to a decades-long dispute between the two warring countries over a sea area off the coast. The dispute over the border in the Mediterranean had intensified after the discovery of large quantities of natural gas. The negotiations were brokered by the United States.
Gas field development now possible
The agreement is intended to enable economically distressed Lebanon to develop the Kana offshore gas field. It is still unclear how much gas can actually be extracted there. The area around the Karish gas platform, northeast of the Israeli port city of Haifa, remains within Israeli sovereign territory. The country started gas extraction there on Wednesday.
The gas from Israel could also help alleviate the energy crisis in Europe. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU has been increasingly looking for other gas suppliers
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
