Israel, Egypt to boost gas supplies to Europe in landmark deal
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Israel, Egypt and the European Union signed on Wednesday a trilateral natural gas agreement in Cairo to increase liquefied natural gas sales to EU countries, as Europe seeks to replace the Russian supplies it has relied on for decades.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Israel’s Energy Minister, Karine Elharrar, along with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum, Tarek el- Molla, and the EU’s Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson.
The deal, which has been in the works since March, will enable Israel to send its gas to liquefaction plants in Egypt, where it can be pressurized and liquefied, then transported to Europe.
“What a special moment,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in a joint news conference on Wednesday alongside the Egyptian and Israeli energy ministers. “I very warmly welcome the signing of this historic agreement.”
at a joint news conference with Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem on Tuesday night, Von der Leyen said the agreement was part of Europe’s efforts to diversify energy sources away from Russia and import hydrocarbons from “other trustworthy suppliers.”
The Egyptian petroleum minister described the deal as “an important milestone” for cooperation between Egypt, Israel and the Bloc.
Israel’s energy minister said that the deal highlights increasing cooperation between Egypt and Israel, two former enemies. “This shows us that we are paving a new path of partnership, solidarity and sustainability.”
Israel in recent weeks had promised to accelerate its gas output as demand grew and prices soared. It is looking, in collaboration with other Middle Eastern countries, to sell to Europe, previously the largest client of Russian energy.