Egypt reached an agreement with Cyprus on a pipeline connecting the Aphrodite gas field in block 12 to Egypt, Cypriot state TV announced.

The agreement will be signed in the autumn, the Cyrus Broadcasting Corporation said. The agreement has already been given the green light by the EU and the final details are now being scrutinized, the broadcaster added citing diplomatic sources.

The two countries had signed a preliminary agreement to transport natural gas from Cyprus to Egypt to be liquefied at Egypt’s liquefaction facilities, and re-exported to Europe and other markets.

The pipeline will be a major step for Egypt toward its goal to be an east Mediterranean gas hub. The country is  heading towards natural gas self-sufficiency powered by Zohr’s production increases. Minister of Petroleum Tarek El Molla has said several times that by the end of 2018 Egypt will cover its domestic gas demand and will start exporting in 2019.