EU 'largest partner' to Egypt, relies on Cairo as a source of gas: Ambassador

CAIRO - 14 September 2022: Ambassador Christian Berger, the European Union ambassador to Egypt, said that Europe is working to confront the energy crisis through three tracks

 

 

According to Ambassador Berger, the first track is to find different energy sources, that's why Egypt, Israel, Algeria and others are relied upon to import gas from them.

 

Launching an initiative to restore energy in Europe aimed at educating European people to reduce air-conditioning temperatures as well as shower heaters, and reduce the use of electricity and others.

 

The third axis is to invest in renewable energy, including wind, waves, green hydrogen and solar energy.

 

 

In a press conference on the sidelines of his visit to Alexandria, the European Union ambassador pointed out that due to these measures, it will be possible that by next November, Europe will have 80 percent of its energy needs.

 

 

Christian expressed his regret that Europe returned using fossil fuels and coal again, stressing that the use of coal is a necessary due to the absence of gas, and the crisis that may affect peoples, especially with the cold winter of Europe, stressing that work is being done within a short time to provide energy because no one wants in the use of fossil energy.

 

 

 

Burger stressed the existence of joint cooperation with Egypt and the European Union in confronting terrorism.

 

 

Christian said that the European Union remains the largest partner and the first investor in Egypt, despite the war crises and the Corona epidemic, noting that the Union provided support for food security in Egypt and the partner countries, and Egypt's share was 100 million euros in Europe, and also contributed to providing safe ways to support and secure Importing food commodities from Ukraine, and indeed, with the support of the European Union and the United Nations, Egypt and other countries received wheat and grains, and they are available in more abundance than before.

 

 

 

Christian added that both the union and Egypt ratified partnership agreement, which lasts until 2027. He explained that the agreement includes 3 axes; namely supporting the economy, foreign policy, and nations in the world.

 

 

 

Berger pointed out that there is a high representation from the European Union at the COP27 climate conference, represented by the presence of the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the Commission Ursula von der Leyen and a number of commissioners, most notably the Vice-President of the Commission Franks, who had a role in the Glasgow Agreement and works with the Presidency to conclude a number of agreements.