The
Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry
and Tourism Mr Yiorgos Lakkotrypis received today the Minister of
Petroleum of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Sherif Ismail. The two
Ministers had initially a private meeting which was followed by talks
between the delegations of the two countries.
In
statements to the Press after the meeting, Mr Lakkotrypis stressed
that this visit is “evidence of the close relations between Cyprus
and Egypt which have been further deepened by the visit of President
Anastasiades to the neighbouring country last December. We held a
very constructive discussion on various possible areas of cooperation
in energy issues. We also talked regarding renewable resources
focusing mainly on cooperation perspectives in the area of
carbohydrates, which involves the entire chain of activities for
their exploitation. The Arab Republic of Egypt has long experience in
this field; Cyprus too aspires to gain such experience and, by
enjoying close cooperation with Egypt we are certain to achieve it”.
As
the Energy Minister noted, during the meeting the two delegations
exchanged information on the activities within the Exclusive Economic
Zones (EEZ) of Cyprus and Egypt and especially on each side of the
two countries’ median line. Furthermore, as the Minister explained
it was agreed to immediately set up a Joint Technical Committee
“which will further examine, on a technocratic level, these
possible ways of cooperation between the two countries”.
Invited
to name the areas on which cooperation will focus, Mr Lakkotrypis
said that considering that the EEZs of Cyprus and Egypt are adjacent,
the two countries are interested in knowing about the activities
carried out on each side, for instance regarding the companies that
have obtained licenses, whether reserves have been found, and when
the different activities start. «At the same time of course, we are
looking into other issues as well, as for instance how we could
exploit the natural wealth of Cyprus in collaboration with Egypt.
This is another matter that will be examined by the technocrats;
there are some questions both sides have which we want to be answered
as soon as possible”, he concluded.
Invited
to answer whether possible ways of cooperation include the supply of
Egyptian natural gas through Cyprus, with a view to making the
Liquefaction Terminal in Vasilikos sustainable, the Minister replied
in the negative, explaining that at this particular moment Egypt
needs gas and does not have additional quantities for exports.
To
a question whether this means that Egypt could be a potential buyer
of natural gas from the Cypriot reserves, Mr Lakkotrypis stated:
“Possibly. In fact, what we want to accomplish with this Technical
Committee is to examine the techno-economic aspects of all these
options for closer cooperation”.
Finally,
replying to a relevant question, the Minister highlighted that the
Technical Committee will be set up immediately, with the first
meeting to be held probably within this month, in Cairo.
From
his side, speaking to the Press, the Egyptian Petroleum Minister
underlined that during the fruitful meeting held it was decided to
enhance future cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt, by establishing
a joint Committee consisting of groups of technocrats from the two
Ministries. The Committee, as Mr Ismail explained, will examine
different available options for cooperation on possible joint
projects, as well as the exchange of information and know-how.
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