(December 2nd 2016) Italy will contribute to the realization of the First Phase of Dead Sea – Red Sea Project with 50 million euros as aid credit (“grant equivalent” value about 25 million euros) and 2 million euro as a gift. Italian contribution will be confirmed after eventually successful conclusion of the ongoing studies on project environmental impact and after a final evaluation on its overall financial sustainability. Additional resources may be activated as part of European Union “Neighbourhood Investment Facility”.
Italian contributio's announcement was made by Italian Ambassador in Jordan, Giovanni Brauzzi, at Donors Conference held at Dead Sea on December 1st. Italy is involved in Dead Sea - Red Sea Project since the beginning, having partially funded the initial feasibility study.
The decision to continue supporting the project - first phase involves the construction of a desalination plant and a pipeline linking Red Sea to Dead Sea - has been taken on the basis of the potential contribution it can give to Jordan and countries surrounding development, to finding new water resources, to Dead Sea preservation and to Middle East region' stability. (Red)