Germany and Israel sign agreement for energy cooperation

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Berlin, 24 Mar Germany and Israel have signed a cooperation agreement for the energy sector with the aim of developing “solutions” to alleviate climate change, according to the German Ministry of Economy on Thursday. With the agreement, both countries seek to “promote the development of technologies that provide reliable, sustainable and affordable energy,” according to a statement released to the media. According to the declaration, which was signed yesterday in Paris on the margins of the ministerial meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA), areas of cooperation include renewable energy, energy infrastructure cybersecurity and technological innovation. In addition, Germany and Israel will collaborate in the natural gas sector and the use of hydrogen, the Ministry of Economy said briefly. Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar spoke of “an important step” in the relationship between the two nations in “turbulent times”. “Our governments will cooperate even more closely to foster bilateral and international interests in the areas of renewable energy, natural gas, and in research and development,” he said, adding that such collaboration will be “of great use” to Israeli companies and research centers. For his part, the Secretary of State of the German Ministry of Economy and Energy, Oliver Krischer, pointed out that with Israel “Germany has gained a strong technological partner”. Berlin, he added, “will bring its own experience in the energy transition, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies.” German Economy Minister Robert Habeck embarked on an international tour this week to strengthen relations with countries that can contribute to reducing Russia's energy dependence. In Doha it closed an agreement to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, the world's largest exporter, while German companies will contribute to the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country. CHIEF cph/jam/ah