Energy ministers declared to increase cooperation to develop the region’s gas reserves following the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) in Cairo, Egypt Oil & Gas reports.

Georgios Lakkotrypis, Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry announced during the second meeting of EMGF that it has decided to pump the natural gas to Egypt during 2024-2025, El Ahram Gate reported.

Lakkotrypis said the pipelines connecting Egypt and Cyprus are expected to be established during the upcoming weeks, in order for Cyprus to pump gas into Egypt’s liquefication plants. He also praised the forum’s goal of seeking all the participating parties’ cooperation, which shall turn Egypt into a regional energy hub.

Meanwhile, the French ambassador to Egypt, Stéphane Romatet, who was also invited to attend the forum, revealed ongoing discussions as France is looking forward to importing natural gas from Egypt and East Med countries, which is why France might consider joining the EMGF, El Ahram Gate reported.

French companies like Total and ENGIE are negotiating with East Med companies to import gas.

The Ministry of Petroleum pointed out to the European Union (EU) and the US support, stating that the private sector along with the Autonomous Corporations are to participate in the EMGF activities.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla  signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) earlier on July 26 with US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to boost bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas industry.