Gas export agreement with Israel, EU weighs Egypt towards transition to clean energy: Spokesperson

CAIRO – 15 June 2022: The East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) has now become an international organization, according to Spokesman for the Ministry of Petroleum, Hamdy Abdel Aziz.

 

Abdulaziz indicated, during a telephone interview with a TV program, Wednesday, that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Egypt, Israel and the European Union to supply and liquefy gas before transferring it to European countries, explaining that Egypt has gas liquefaction plants in Idku, Beheira and Damietta.

 

He pointed out that the MoU gives Egypt weight within the framework of its project towards the transformation of clean energy, adding that the liquefaction plants enhance Cairo's position in being a regional energy center.

 

The spokesperson added that Egypt has all the facilities that enable it to receive Israeli gas and then liquefy it before exporting it to Europe, pointing out that the memorandum of understanding confirms that there is interest from the European Union to increase cooperation with Egypt in the field of energy.

 

He added that gas discoveries are expected in the coming period, as long as there are global auctions and agreements with international companies, adding that many companies will start drilling programs soon to achieve more discoveries.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla and Israel's Minister of Energy Karin Elharar signed an agreement on natural gas delivery to the European Union (EU) from the East Med region.

 

The agreement was signed during the ministerial meeting of the EMGF.

 

“With this EU-Egypt-Israel agreement we will work on the stable delivery of natural gas to the EU from the East Med region,” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission tweeted on Wednesday.

 

“This will contribute to our EU energy security and we are building infrastructure fit for renewables - the energy of the future,” she added.