Egypt will take Cyprus gas
By Annie Charalambous
The recent discovery of giant natural gas deposits in Egypt’s Zohr plot does not negate the country’s export deal with Cyprus, newly-accredited ambassador Hussein Mubarak told the Cyprus Weekly.
Although Nicosia is looking into different scenarios, Cairo’s offer to import the gas from the Aphrodite plot offshore Cyprus, liquefy it in Egypt and sell it to Europe is there.
“The discovery of the new natural gas at plot Zohr will not change the policy of Egypt towards Cyprus, Egypt is a huge country with huge energy needs,” Mubarak said.
“Egypt has offered to import Cyprus natural gas for domestic use and also for liquefication at the plant in Egypt and then sell it to Europe, everywhere.
“I think, economically, to start a liquefication plant is very costly, we already have a plant to treat it and liquefy it and sell it to Europe,” he added. The ambassador also said that a pipeline could transport gas from Cyprus to Port Said and from there it will be transferred to other facilities in Egypt.
This proposal by Cairo was made in Nicosia in August at a trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt – the second of its kind.
Greece is to host a third trilateral meeting most probably in November.
But, the ambassador said, Cyprus will take big decisions on its own – without Athens.
“Now they are studying the offer, not only the Cyprus government but also (involved) gas companies, they are all studying it. (US energy firm) Noble and BG and ENI and Total are all looking into this offer and a decision has to be made soon,” Mubarak said.
“What I know is that some companies are taking advantage of the offer already and are holding talks with Egyptian counterparts for the liquefication of gas, because all will benefit from this decision which is the most profitable option.”
Mubarak argued that the good news is that if Egypt finds additional natural gas Cyprus will follow suit.
“(Because) it’s in the neighbourhood, it is there, you will find more gas too. Everybody needs to do more drillings,” he said. “The Zohr finds give every country in the region a spirit of hope, new deposits mean new development in economies.”
Cyprus problem not a hurdle
The Cyprus problem does not affect economic plans between Cairo and Nicosia, the ambassador said.
“We deal with the Cyprus government and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and President Nicos Anastasiades have the best of relations we had in years, we have the best cooperation framework.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following a Turkish invasion and continued occupation of over one-third of the Mediterranean island.
Ankara has stirred turmoil in the past after violating Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone while international oil and gas companies were carrying out drills.
Since the announcement of the Zohr finds ten days ago, Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis has been in frequent communication with his Egyptian counterpart, Sherif Ismail. And according to a Twitter post by the government spokesman, Anastasiades had spoken on the phone with al-Sisi last week.
Moreover, unnamed government sources were quoted saying that “important developments are expected soon…and very soon events will disprove the critics of our energy plans.”
Who is Hussein Mubarak
Born in Tripoli in 1960, the neighbouring country’s new ambassador who presented his credentials to President Anastasiades last week is the son of a judge serving in Libya at the time.
Hussein is also a trained lawyer and got his degrees from Cairo University and Berkley University in California.
The career diplomat joined the foreign service in 1984 and is married to Hwaida Mubarak who is also a diplomat now serving as consul general in Kuwait.
They have two daughters – Hanna and Myrna – and a son called Omar.
“One of my daughters is at the level of university and studies law, the other two are still at high school.
“They are with their mother in Kuwait, they will be visiting Cyprus a lot, during school holidays,” Mubarak said.
Previous postings of the ambassador were in New York at their United Nations diplomatic delegation and then at the embassy in Washington DC.
He also served as consul general in New York.
Source: http://in-cyprus.com/egypt-will-take-cyprus-gas/
