Egyptian Oil Minister visits Tel Aviv to discuss energy cooperation

JERUSALEM — Egyptian Minister for Petroleum Tarek el-Molla met with Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in Jerusalem recently. The pair agreed to work on an agreement to link the Leviathan gas field in Israel with Egypt’s natural gas pipeline via the offshore pipeline between the two countries.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum, the two ministers expressed support for the establishment of a strong and interconnected infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean with the aim of maximizing natural gas resources and reserves in the region.

They also stressed the importance of contributing to the U.N.’s 2030 climate goals, as well as the goals of the Global Climate Agreement, which aim to reduce harmful emissions by 2050, among other environmental goals.

Following the meeting, el-Molla met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gaby Ashkenazi, who proclaimed Egypt a key strategic partner for Israel and expressed his happiness to host the Egyptian minister.

Ashkenazi noted Egypt’s key role in ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East.

“I am confident that the normalization agreements and the change of the regional model will also help expand and deepen cooperation with other countries, and I hope your visit will open the door to visits and cooperation in other areas,” he said.