EU energy commissioner visits Egypt for new strategic partnership
Meetings with president, high level officials are scheduled
European Union Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will visit Egypt from 22 to 24 April for a high-level visit, meeting with government officials and energy stakeholders, according to a Friday statement from the EU delegation to Egypts.
Cañete will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah AlSisi and members of the Egyptian government, namely Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla, the statement added.
Cañete will sign a memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation in energy between the European Union and Egypt.
The energy commissioner will also meet with European energy companies and open the EU-Egypt Sustainable Energy Business Forum and Exhibition, said the statement.
Meanwhile, the statement added that an on-site visit to the Zohr onshore gas facility in Port Said is foreseen.
“The EU and Egypt are strategic partners on energy. The potential for an even closer energy cooperation between the EU and Egypt is enormous, and I hope this visit will herald a new phase of closer and more intense relations amongst us,” said Cañete.
The energy commissioner added that Egypt can lead the way to clean energy transition in the Eastern Mediterranean and thus contribute to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals and the worldwide decarbonisation effort.
“Egypt is becoming an upcoming important gas and electricity hub that can provide energy security for the EU and for the entire region. There is much to gain in terms of access to new sources of energy and market opportunities, for European and Egyptian citizens and businesses alike,” noted Cañete.
Cañete said that the EU stands ready to support Egypt in its energy market reforms and to boost sustainable energy investments.
IS EGYPT BECOMING AN UPCOMING IMPORTANT GAS AND ELECTRICITY HUB THAT CAN PROVIDE ENERGY SECURITY