Greek PM: Natural Gas, Electricity Could Be Transmitted from Egypt to Europe

The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at doorstep comments ahead of the European Council meeting, stated that the East Mediterranean could conditionally become an alternative source of energy for the European Union.

"liquefied natural gas could be transported from Egypt to Greece and then to the European gas network, or electricity could be produced in North Africa under ideal conditions and be transferred by cable from Egypt to Europe through Greece," he noted. The East Mediterranean's security acquires a different significance under this light, he said.

“(Egypt’s) link to Europe will be Greece,” Greek Prime Minister said after talks in Athens with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi. “We are seeking persification of energy sources, and Egypt can also become a provider of electricity, which will be produced mainly by the sun.”

It comes during a global energy crunch, which has raised the cost of natural gas, oil and other fuels and led to pain for businesses and everyday people. Mitsotakis said the project would be a “bridge between Egypt to Europe, allowing (Cairo) to take on a key role in energy security at a time of major turbulence in the energy market.”

Egypt last week signed separate agreements with Greece and Cyprus to set up undersea interconnectors, though details of the proposed ventures have not been worked out.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades also joined the Athens meeting, marking the ninth round of talks between the three countries’ leaders.