Egypt to Fast-Track Cypriot Gas Link Project

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, reaffirmed the strategic depth of Egyptian-Cypriot relations during a meeting on Friday with Pola Ioannou, Cyprus’s Ambassador to Cairo, emphasizing the vital role both countries play in fostering energy and economic stability across the Eastern Mediterranean.

Badawi highlighted the steady progress in energy cooperation, stressing that the joint project to link Cypriot offshore gas fields to Egypt’s natural gas facilities remains a top priority for both nations. 

The planned pipeline connection, he said, represents the most efficient guarantee for delivering additional gas supplies to European markets, especially as the region seeks diversified and reliable energy sources.

The minister underscored Egypt’s commitment to accelerating execution, noting that the Petroleum Ministry “will provide all necessary technical and logistical facilitation” to advance the project. He added that leveraging Egypt’s extensive gas infrastructure stands to benefit both countries as well as international investors operating in the region.

Ambassador Ioannou, on her part, expressed appreciation for Egypt’s central role in regional energy architecture, praising the productive partnership between Cairo and Nicosia in the fields of natural gas and broader energy development. 

She also commended Egypt’s recent achievements in the mining sector, which have attracted significant global investment and, she said, are opening new avenues for bilateral economic cooperation.

According to the ambassador, several Cypriot companies have already shown interest in investing in Egypt’s mining industry and in the maritime services sector, particularly ship bunkering.

During the meeting, Badawi also extended his gratitude to former Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou for his contributions to strengthening energy ties between the two countries. He congratulated the newly appointed Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, Michalis Damianou, wishing him success in building on the strategic partnership.

The discussions were attended by Mahmoud Abdel-Hamid, Chairman of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and Mohamed El-Bagouri, Acting Head of the Ministry’s Central Legal Affairs Department.