Israel expects gas to flow from east Mediterranean to Europe

A potential undersea pipeline carrying natural gas from deposits in the eastern Mediterranean to Europe is "very realistic" and could help secure the continent's energy future, Israel's energy minister said Tuesday.

Yuval Steinitz said that a study on the "strategic" EastMed Pipeline Project shows that the pipeline is feasible, even though it presents technical challenges due to the depths involved.

He said the estimated 6.2 billion-euro ($7.36 billion) pipeline could take 6-7 years to build and that the countries involved in the project "are serious about it, it will happen."

The Israeli official said an undersea pipeline would be less vulnerable to sabotage and won't have to cross many national boarders to reach markets, making it a safer investment.

"This is one of the best projects," Steinitz told AP ahead of the signing of an agreement between Cyprus,...