Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, Giorgos Papanastasiou, and his Egyptian counterpart, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla, held a series of constructive talks. Their discussions centered on enhancing the energy collaboration between Cyprus and Egypt, with a particular focus on the rapid development of the natural gas fields located southwest of Cyprus.

According to a statement from the Cypriot Ministry of Energy, Papanastasiou returned yesterday from Cairo, where he attended the EGYPES 2024 energy exhibition and conference. On the sidelines of this event, he held various energy-related meetings, including a private meeting with El Molla.

Specifically, during their meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Papanastasiou and El Molla conducted a comprehensive review of the latest developments in the hydrocarbon sector in the Eastern Mediterranean. They highlighted the encouraging results of the evaluation drilling at the "Cronos" natural gas discovery within Block 6 of the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Additionally, the ministers discussed ways to expedite the development of the natural gas cluster southwest of Cyprus. One of the primary options under consideration is the transfer of gas from the Cypriot EEZ to Egypt, which is seen as a vital step in utilizing these resources.

Prior to meeting with the Egyptian Petroleum Minister, Papanastasiou had separate meetings with Osama Mobarez, the Secretary-General of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. He also met with senior executives from Eni, TotalEnergies, Chevron, and ExxonMobil to discuss their research programs and the rapid development of their discoveries within the Cypriot EEZ.

Furthermore, Papastasiou also visited the Cyprus pavilion at the EGYPES 2024 exhibition.