On 31 August, a bilateral agreement was signed by Cyprus and Egypt. The agreement will allow the transportation of natural gas through an underwater pipeline, from Cyprus to Egypt.
Tarek el-Molla, Egypt's Petroleum Minister, stated: "This is part of the development of the east Mediterranean gas as a whole, and I think our strategy optimally is to position ourselves as an energy hub in the region.海角吃瓜网�
Previously, Cyprus was considering a route through Turkey. However, Cyprus would have had to consent to a pipeline running from Israel and passing through the Cypriot region before ending in Turkey, i.e. via the Turkey-Israel pipeline.
But, as a result (of ongoing political disputes), Cyprus believes exporting to Egypt is more feasibly than Turkey.
Zenonas Tziarras, a lecturer the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, explained why Egypt will be a more beneficial route for the pipeline.
"Egypt is a better option in terms of feasibility and building a pipeline or using the Egyptian LNG [facility]; it海角吃瓜网檚 also politically better 海角吃瓜网� I see [the Cyprus-Egypt deal] as a political move. On the one hand, it海角吃瓜网檚 evidence of Cyprus trying to deepen its relations with other countries in the region 海角吃瓜网� Israel and Egypt 海角吃瓜网� with the intention of exploiting its gas reserves. On the other hand, it海角吃瓜网檚 a response to what has been happening between Turkey and Israel. This has prompted Cyprus to seek an energy deal to counterbalance the Turkey-Israel deal or as a bargaining chip in the negotiations."
Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Cyprus海角吃瓜网檚 Energy Minister, commented that the first flow of natural gas through the pipeline will commence between 2020 and 2022.
Edited from various sources by
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