- A Memorandum of Understanding between the EU, Egypt and Israel on cooperation in trade, transport and natural gas exports to the EU was signed in the margins of the meeting.
- Ms. Pileidou invited Forum members and observers to the EMGF Energy Transition Conference, which will take place in Nicosia on 14 October 2022.
Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Ms. Natasha Pileidou chaired the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the regional intergovernmental organization East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), which took place today in Cairo. In the margins of the meeting, in which Ms. Pilidou participated online, the EU, Egypt and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in trade, transport and exports of natural gas to the EU, and a Round Table Discussion on the Role of East Mediterranean Gas in Energy Security and Unblocking Efforts was held.
Welcoming, on behalf of the Cyprus EMGF Presidency, the participants of the 7th Ministerial Meeting, the Minister of Energy expressed Cyprus' strong support to the Memorandum signed in the presence of the President of the European Commission Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissioner for Energy Mrs. Kadri Simson, the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Mr. Tarek El Molla and the Minister of Energy of Israel Ms. Karine Elharrar.
The Memorandum, Ms. Pileidou stressed, clearly highlights the importance of the natural gas fields of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the reserves in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus, for ensuring the EU's energy security. "Cyprus stands ready to contribute to the Union's efforts to secure natural gas, which will be delivered to European markets through the timely and efficient development of our indigenous resources," she added.
At the same time, closing her opening remarks, the Energy Minister invited members and observers of the Forum to the EMGF Energy Transition Conference, which will take place in Nicosia on 14 October 2022. This conference, Ms. Pileidou noted, has already been agreed to be attended by the European Commissioner for Energy, Ms. Kadri Simson, as part of her official visit to Cyprus, and aims to highlight the decisive role of the EMGF in the efforts for cleaner energy transition and sustainable development.
Today's Ministerial Meeting was attended by the Ministers or Heads of Delegation of the eight member countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, France, Italy, Italy, Jordan and Palestine) and the three Observers of the Forum (EU, USA and the World Bank), approved the results of Phase 2 of the study on the Organisation's Long Term Strategy, which, taking into account the needs of the energy transition, emphasises the role of natural gas as a transitional fuel and the ways in which the Eastern Mediterranean can contribute to the goal of zero pollution by 2050.
In addition, the relevant technical group presented the progress of the Forum's initiative on policy formulation for "Unfracking of Eastern Mediterranean Gas", which will be formally presented at the 27th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) to be held in November in Egypt.
The 7th Ministerial Meeting of the EMGF concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration in which, among other things, member countries and observers reaffirm their determination to continue to work together to achieve the objectives of the organisation, with full respect for the rights of members over their natural resources, in accordance with international law and the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
(GA)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
