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Jordan, Israel sign

energy accord

AMMAN: Jordan signed an accord with Israel on Sunday to allow joint research into energy resources and received a pledge of access to Israeli data to check radiation levels.

Jordan's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Samih Darwazah told Reuters after the accord's signing in the Red Sea port of Aqaba that his Israeli counterpart Gonen Segev agreed to a Jordanian request to allow scientists to examine radiation levels in Israel.

"The agreement would allow us to look into radiation levels, considering we are Israel's closest neighbours...we will be fully informed as to what takes place on the other side," he added.

Israel operates a nuclear reactor at Dimona, 40 km (25 miles) west of the Jordanian border.

He said the accord would boost joint research in oil exploration and gas, alternate and renewable energy, solar and wind energy along with studies in exploiting oil shale for commercial use.

Jordan has 40 billion tonnes to oil shale desposits.

The accord spells out joint geophysical and geological research in the barren Jordan Rift valley stretching south of the Dead Sea to Aqaba, along the two countries' border.

Work has started on a power sharing electricity link between Aqaba in Jordan and nearby Eilat in Israel.

Jordan and Israel will exchange ideas on extending oil pipelines across their territories. Israel has discussed importing gas from Qatar and Egypt.-Reuter