Egypt and Cyprus discussing cheaper ways to export natural gas

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Abu al Naga said that Cyprus and Egypt have been discussing ways to export natural gas to Cyprus in a compressed form instead of its costlier liquefied form.
Speaking after a meeting in Nicosia with Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas, Abu al Naga said experts on both sides are in constant communication regarding this issue and pointed out that ”the most important thing is we consider this issue to be strategic for our cooperation.”
Lillikas expressed satisfaction with his meeting with the Egyptian Minister, with whom he discussed a series of sector in which Cyprus and Egypt can develop cooperation concerning ”the development of various sectors of Egypt and achieving the aims of the Egyptian government, also in the EU framework with the participation of Egypt in other African countries, especially in sectors where Egypt has a successful know-how and can contribute to the development of African countries.”
He noted that the visit of Abu al Naga and the discussions ”prove once again how close the political ties are between the two countries, and the high feeling of friendship which joins the governments and the peoples of our two countries.”
”Egypt is proving to be a stabilising factor in the sensitive region of Cyprus, the Middle East, and together we can help achieve peace and stability in the region,” he added.
Abu al Naga said she had the opportunity to meet with senior officials of the government and that the first session of the joint commission on economic and technical cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus was held.
Referring to her meeting earlier with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Michaelides, she said they discussed possible areas of cooperation.
She said Egypt has ”accumulated some very solid experience in areas such as agriculture, irrigation, electricity, energy, water management and so on and so forth.”
”On the bilateral level we have had an excellent discussion on how to proceed further with our historic relations. Egypt and Cyprus are actually bound by very historic relations, a very special affinity between the two countries and the two peoples,” she added.
The Egyptian Minister noted that Cyprus‘ accession to the EU was ”an asset for Egypt, because we know that we have a best friend and ally within the EU.”
She said they discussed ways to promote bilateral relations in ”vital, crucial and strategic” areas, such as oil, gas, natural gas, maritime transportation, tourism, and trade of goods and services, as well as ways to work together in order to ”encourage on the part of the two governments joint ventures among the private sectors in both countries” and matters concerning training and exchange of know-how in areas of mutual benefit, such as port management, shipping, tourism and natural gas.
Abu al Naga said that during Tuesday’s meeting with Cypriot Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris ”we will elaborate on all those areas” and that on Monday she signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of tourism.
”I believe this visit is yet another step forward in the consolidation of the relationship between Egypt and Cyprus,” she noted, adding that the two governments can complement each other.
Replying to questions about a new way of transporting natural gas at a much lower cost, Abu al Naga said ”as a matter of fact this is the issue we have been discussing” and noted that ”the idea is to discuss the logistics of how we can export the Egyptian natural gas to Cyprus in a way that is less expensive, less complicated and less complex.”
”That is why the issue that is under consideration right now is the exportation of natural gas from Egypt to Cyprus in its compressed status versus the liquefied status,” she said.
Abu al Naga said special vessels are needed for the transportation of compressed natural gas and that it takes about two-and-a-half years to build such a ship.
”The experts on both sides are in constant touch and we hope this will come to materialisation as early as possible,” she added.
Replying to questions, Abu al Naga said ”the most important thing is we consider this issue to be strategic for our cooperation,” adding that the issue ”enjoys political will on both sides.”
Earlier on, Abu al Naga was received by President Tassos Papadopoulos.