Egypt, Cyprus, Greece leaders agree to develop joint energy projects at Cairo trilateral summit - EGYPT TODAY

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 - 02:41 GMT

CAIRO – 8 January 2025: Leaders of Egypt, Cyprus and Greece have agreed on the necessity to develop joint energy projects as they held the 10th trilateral cooperation mechanism summit in Cairo on Wednesday.

“The energy file was strongly present in our talks today,” President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said in a joint press conference with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus following their meeting.

Sisi said they agreed on the need for developing joint projects in renewable energy, electrical interconnection, natural gas transportation, and power linkage infrastructure enhancement.

These projects aim to achieve regional integration in this sector and effectively ensure international energy security, which has suffered turbulence amidst latest global crises, the Egyptian president added.

Egypt Says Offshore Gas Discoveries Bolster Ties with Cyprus - THE NATIONAL HERALD / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sameh Shoukry (L) and Nikos Christodoulides meet in Nicosia on July 31

August 1, 2019

NICOSIA (AP) — Egypt’s foreign minister says hydrocarbon finds in the eastern Mediterranean have bolstered an already “strong partnership” with neighboring Cyprus.

Minister Sameh Shoukry said after talks Wednesday with Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides that Egypt looks forward to working with Cyprus in fully utilizing energy reserves.

Egypt’s top diplomat said he’s hopeful the establishment of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum will help open new avenues of cooperation and policy coordination between the two countries.

Shoukry said a trilateral partnership between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece serves as an “important catalyst” for regional prosperity and stability. He said Egypt will host the seventh summit of the three nations’ leaders later this year.

Christodoulides said European Union member Cyprus would continue to advocate for stronger EU-Egypt ties in order to more effectively address regional challenges.

Egypt says “NO” to East Med - IBNA

13 February 2019, 11:30

Nefeli Tzanetakou

The East Med gas pipeline received an unequivocal "no" from Egypt.

Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, said he was opposed to the transportation of gas from East Mediterranean to Europe via the East Med pipeline.

He even justified his position by saying that the feasibility study for this project would last up to two years, which in itself is a luxury the region of Eastern Mediterranean can no longer afford.

"I would say there are many options for Eastern Mediterranean. However, we believe that Egypt is the best choice both economically and politically. Existing facilities and infrastructure for LNG processing and storage provide Egypt with a competitive advantage, as each existing facility will cost about USD 10 billion to be realized, thus making it the most economical option. In addition, Egyptian policy is the open market and the pursuit of maximum benefit for all parties, both for producers and for consumers. We encourage choices that can help producers exploit their resources and consumers to secure their needs in the most efficient, fast and sustainable way and at the lowest cost", the Egyptian official said.

Greece and Egypt moving closer to EEZ agreement - KATHIMERINI

11.10.2018 : 16:42

Vassilis Nedos

The much-discussed delineation of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Greece and Egypt was on the table at a trilateral meeting between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on the island of Crete on Wednesday.

Speaking after the meeting, the sixth between the three leaders, Tsipras said that “technical details” remain before Greece and Egypt wrap up talks on the issue that began three years ago.

Government sources said that Tsipras and Sisi agreed that this should happen by the end of the year.

Greece, Egypt back Cyprus gas exploration - THE WASHINGTON POST / ASSOCIATED PRESS

October 10 at 12:55 PMDerek Gatopoulos and Menelaos Hadjicostis

ATHENS, Greece — The leaders of Greece and Egypt on Wednesday backed efforts by regional ally Cyprus to exploit off-shore gas deposits, despite strong objection from Turkey.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hosted a meeting Wednesday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on the island of Crete. The talks were the sixth meeting between the three leaders aimed at forming an energy-based alliance in the east Mediterranean.

U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil will search for natural gas off the coast of Cyprus by the end of the year, a senior executive said last week.

“We have clearly expressed our support for Cyprus in its efforts to capitalize on the sovereign rights deriving from International Law regarding (offshore deposits) and to make progress in their exploitation,” said Tsipras.

The new Cypriot-Egyptian agreement regarding the natural gas pipeline - LYGEROS

7 August 2018
Nikos Lygeros

The new agreement between Cyprus and Egypt regarding the natural gas pipeline, which carries the European Union's necessary stamp of approval, is the implementation of the intermediate path towards the exploitation of the mineral wealth.

It constitutes a new success which enhances the alliance context with Egypt, but also the triple point of contact issue, where Greece is also involved, at both geopolitical and geo-economic levels, since it will also have an impact upon the East Med pipeline which is of strategic importance.

The other important element is that it regards a transnational agreement that goes beyond European Union issues.

Therefore it constitutes an effective response to Turkey's provocative statements.

It's indicative in practical terms that Egypt functions catalytically in regards to this relationship, and that the two countries now obtain mutual interests, a factor which is very important at a geostrategic level.

With this agreement, Cyprus acquires an energean ally which has a European orientation, both politically and technologically.

Consequently, Cyprus' position is becoming upgraded and the island can now see differently the Eastern Mediterranean and its interconnection with the European Union.

Egypt, Greece, Cyprus Tripartite Meeting - ENTRPRISE

Egypt's Sisi (L) & Cyprus' Anastasiades

Wednesday, 2 May 2018

Contrary to official press releases, meetings between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Cypriot and Greek counterparts did look at energy cooperation, Ittihadeya spokesman Bassan Rady tells Yahduth fi Masr (watch, runtime: 6:33). He then delved into the cultural aspects of the visit without elaborating further. Expectations were for an agreement to be signed this week, in light of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and his Greek counterpart Prokopis Pavlopoulos’ visit to Cairo for the “Week to Revive the Roots” cultural forum. Egypt and Cyprus had reached a preliminary agreement to build an underwater pipeline for the transfer of natural gas. The move is expected to put Egypt on the map as a regional hub for the processing and export of natural gas to Europe and could see the country receive mns in funding from the EU under an energy cooperation framework signed last week. An Egyptian-Cypriot-Greek business forum was also held yesterday in Alexandria, according to a Trade Ministry statement.

El Sisi, Shoukry talk energy cooperation, improving economic ties with Greek Foreign Minister - ENTERPRISE

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias in Cairo yesterday, according to an Ittihadiya statement. Talks extended to trilateral relations between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus on East-Mediterranean gas, increased cooperation on economy, trade, and investment, as well as counter-terror and the peaceful resolution to regional disputes. Last month, Oil Minister Tarek El Molla had said that Egypt was in talks with Greece to establish a framework for further energy cooperation, after announcing that it was closing in on an LNG import agreement with Cyprus. The three countries also said last week they would be working on a USD 4 bn 2,000 MW subsea electricity interconnection project that is expected to become part of a larger network linking Europe and Africa.

Cyprus, Egypt, Greece agree to bolster maritime security - ABC NEWS

Cyprus' Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides (center), Greek counterpart Panos Kammenos (right), and Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi (left) in Cyprus on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. 

Dec 14, 2017, 9:54 AM ET

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS LARNACA, Cyprus

The defense ministers of Cyprus, Egypt and Greece agreed Thursday to step up cooperation in combating drug, weapons and people trafficking in the east Mediterranean and to share information on countering the threat of terrorism.

Cypriot Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides and his Egyptian and Greek counterparts Sedki Sobhi and Panos Kammenos said that they're also setting up a coordinating body to oversee joint special forces drills geared toward protecting vital sea lanes in the eastern Mediterranean.

Egypt Starts Talks With Cyprus on Natural Gas Pipeline as Prospects for Israeli Exports Dim - HAARETZ

Nov 22, 2017 10:41 PMEran Azran

Some have proposed that Israel, Egypt and Cyprus combine their offshore Mediterranean gas reserves to create a giant gas hub and sell to Europe, but progress has been halting
Egypt and Cyprus have agreed to start talks next month towards an agreement to build a pipeline to deliver natural gas to Egypt from Cyprus’ Aphrodite gas field, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Cypriot news sources.

The agreement, which came during a visit by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on Monday, calls for making use of an existing pipeline system from depleted Egyptian gas fields to liquefaction plants at Idku and Damietta.

The news comes amid warnings from Egyptian officials in recent weeks that the prospects for Israeli or other gas exports to Egypt are getting slimmer. Some have proposed that Israel, Egypt and Cyprus combine their offshore Mediterranean gas reserves to create a giant gas hub and sell to Europe, but progress has been halting.

Egypt, Cyprus and Greece: Consolidating a Mediterranean alliance - AL AHRAM

Monday 20 Nov 2017
Dina Ezzat

“We cannot be exploring the potential fields without reaching an agreement on the demarcation with Greece,” explained an Egyptian official.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is expected to arrive Monday afternoon in Cyprus' capital Nicosia for talks with his counterpart Nicos Anastasiades.

During his visit to Egypt’s northern Mediterranean neighbour, El-Sisi is also expected to meet with Alexis Tsipras, the prime minister of Greece, considered in Egyptian diplomacy circles as one of the closest possible allies of Egypt in the European Union and in the Mediterranean zone.

The three leaders of Egypt, Cyprus and Greece were expected to hold a three-way summit to discuss their planned two-path cooperation: energy and security.

A top issue for the Egyptian president in Nicosia is the conclusion of a process to define maritime borders between Egypt and Greece. According to Egyptian and Greek sources, this process was launched a few years ago with firm support form both El-Sisi and Tsipras, who both wish to see this demarcation as a beginning for the full exploitation of the eastern Mediterranean's natural gas reserves.

Egypt's Sisi to fly to Nicosia Monday for tripartite summit with Cyprus, Greece - AHRAM ONLINE

SISI, TSIPRAS, ANASTASIADES, DECEMBER 2015,ATHENS

Friday 17 Nov 2017

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is set to fly to Cyprus on Monday to participate in a tripartite summit between the two states and Greece.

State agency MENA said the upcoming summit would include talks on coordinating stances, as well as boosting cooperation between the three countries as regards politics, economics and trade, security, and tourism.

The meetings will also include discussions on regional issues, including the Syrian and Libyan crises, and combating terrorism and extremism.

The upcoming tripartite meeting will be the fifth such meeting between El-Sisi, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in recent years.

Cyprus Presidential Candidate: We could build a pipeline from Aphrodite to Damietta- EGYPT OIL & GAS

Wednesday, 27th September 2017

Mariana Somensi

Academics from Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus promoted a roundtable in Cairo on September 25th to discuss ways of enhancing the countries’ cooperation in the natural gas market. The discussion, which tackled innovative ideas to translate the tripartite partnership into synergies and common projects, counted with the special participation of the presidential candidate and president of the Democratic Party of Cyprus, Nicholas Papadopoulos, Egypt Oil & Gas reports.

EuroAfrica cable enters crucial phase - CYPRUS MAIL

February 7, 2017

Angelos Anastasiou

The EuroAfrica Interconnector, a planned subsea electric cable connecting the Egyptian, Cypriot and Greek power grids to continental Europe has entered a crucial phase of conducting project studies with a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding among all parties having taken place on Monday.

The officials attending the signing ceremony in Cairo endorsed their commitment to implementing the EuroAfrica Interconnector energy bridge connecting Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece with the European electric network with 2000MW.
The aim of EuroAfrica is to offer significant economic and geopolitical benefits to the involved countries and contribute to the European Union’s target for 10 per cent of electricity interconnection between member states.

President of EuroAfrica Interconnector Nasos Ktorides said that this inspired partnership can only bring benefits to the three participating nations.

Cyprus and Egypt in for the long haul - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

October 23, 2016

Cyprus and Egypt will definitely implement an interstate agreement providing for natural gas from the island’s Aphrodite field to be sold to neighbouring Cairo whose domestic needs are vast.

But an ambitious pipeline project linking the two neighbouring countries as well as Greece could end up being just a ‘trilateral’ dream, informed sources told the Cyprus Weekly.

“Cyprus and Egypt will definitely cooperate on the sale of gas, that’s a given. The interstate agreement has been signed and it is going to be implemented, the Egyptian President will be visiting Nicosia in April-May for the final touches,” the insider said.

Final Declaration The Trilateral Summit of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus (Cairo, 11 October 2016) - HELLENIC REPUBLIC

Thursday, 13 October 2016

The Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Alexis Tsipras, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades and the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, having met in Cairo, 11th of October 2016, have agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the three countries in order to promote a trilateral partnership in various fields of common interests, and to work together towards promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity in the Mediterranean.

Given the fluid and unstable situation in the region, the three countries, which share common values, and interests, have, to this end, agreed on the importance of closer cooperation and highly coordinated set of policies.

The fourth round of Trilateral Summit between Cyprus, Egypt and Greece concluded in Cairo with this Declaration in which the three countries agreed to work on the implementation of projects in the fields of energy, maritime transport, tourism and agriculture. The Heads of State and Government welcomed the progress achieved so far in these sectors and recognized that much more remains to be done to ensure that growth is experienced in their communities.

Tsipras to travel to Cairo Tuesday for Greece-Cyprus-Egypt talks - KATHIMERINI

Last Egypt, Greece, Cyprus tripartite summit in December 2015

10.10.2016

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is to travel to Cairo on Tuesday for talks with Cypriot and Egyptian leaders on trilateral cooperation in a range of sectors.

The meeting will be the fourth such trilateral summit involving leaders of the three countries.

The last one was in December 2015.

The leaders are expected to focus on cooperation in energy and trade and closer political ties.

SOURCE

Energy cooperation can serve as an incentive to solve the Cyprus issue, President says - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE / CNA

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE•
Sunday, 25 September, 2016

Cyprus' relations with Israel and trilateral synergies that have developed constitute a shield of security and stability, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades stressed whilst addressing the American Jewish Committee Award Presentation, in New York.

He pointed out that energy is one of the founding pillars of the trilateral synergies which are of inclusive nature and that energy cooperation can serve as a perfect incentive for the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

On Friday the American Jewish Committee (AJC) bestowed upon President Anastasiades the "Light Unto The Nations” Award, attributed to personalities who have been tested and proved themselves as regards their sincere and genuine friendship towards the State of Israel.

Cyprus-Greece "value security" says Egypt's FM Sameh Shoukry - SIGMA LIVE

11.09.2016 12:19 Mario Hajiloizis

Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sameh Shoukry, told Independent Balkan News Agency on Sunday that the tripartite with Greece and Cyprus shows that the two countries “value security and understand the potential dangers for instability in Egypt.”

Shoukry was speaking after Cyprus and Egypt signed a landmark deal to transport natural gas from Cyprus’ EEZ to Egypt on August 31.

Egypt is also due to host the third summit between the three countries next month to discuss other projects agreed upon during the past two summits in Greece and Cyprus.

Prime minister, foreign minister meet with Cypriot foreign affairs minister - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

Tuesday August 9, 2016

Sarah El-Sheikh

Developing cooperation in energy discoveries and natural gas extraction fields were at the forefront of the officials’ discussions
Prime Minister Sherif Ismail met with Cypriot minister of foreign affairs loannis Kasoulidis early on Tuesday in the presence of Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and Cyprus’ ambassador in Egypt to discuss bilateral relations, according to a statement from the prime minister’s spokesperson Hossam Qawesh.

During the meeting, Ismail pointed out the depth of Egyptian-Cypriot relations, confirming that recently these have developed significantly through enhancements in joint cooperation between both countries.