Egyptian-Cypriot Ties Keep Stability of East Med

The Cypriot-Egyptian relations are at their highest level in an assessment that represents an indisputable fact, as the relations between the two countries maintain the stability of the eastern Mediterranean.

The two countries have developed a network of cooperation in this regard in various fields.

Primarily comes the field of energy which has functioned as a catalyst of this cooperation.

The newly discovered gas fields in the Cypriot (exclusive economic zone) EEZ have recently acquired major importance, given the consequences of the war in Ukraine, which Europe had to face.

Therefore, the energy potential of Cyprus must be linked to the potential of Egypt before it is re-exported to Europe.

In this regard, it bodes well that an agreement was signed between Cyprus and Egypt to link Aphrodite, the largest Cypriot gas field, with Egyptian liquefaction plants.

Moreover, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Cyprus, Egypt, and Greece for the Electricity Connection Project holds huge potential to connect the electricity grids of not only the three locations but also the two continents together, thus diversifying the energy mix and strengthening Europe's energy independence.

It is also extremely useful fact that in 2019 Egypt partnered with countries in the region (Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, and Palestine) in the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), which is based in Cairo.

Urgent problems resulting from climate change and the need to take action to confront them gave another opportunity for cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt to advance their national priorities at the regional and international levels.

During the COP27, the presidents of Cyprus and Egypt co-chaired the summit to present the Nicosia-led Eastern Mediterranean Initiative and the Middle East Climate Change Initiative.

Only through cooperation can the recommendations of the initiative's regional action plan be implemented.

There is a high potential for economic cooperation based on a wide range of possibilities in trade and investment.

In general, in the broader framework of the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt's role is of paramount importance due to the challenges and recent developments in the region.