On the sidelines of his participation in the CERAWeek International Energy Conference, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla held two separate meetings with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Senior Advisor for Energy Security at the US State Department Amos Hochstein.

The meetings with the minister and then the Global Energy Security Adviser at the US State Department dealt with the continuous cooperation and coordination between the two sides, especially in the fields of oil and natural gas. They also discussed bilateral cooperation under the umbrella of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) and the efforts of the forum countries in securing part of global energy supplies.

The EMGF has completed two studies on benefiting from the infrastructure available in the forum countries to achieve economic growth and a balance between supply and demand, El Molla said, adding that the forum continues to develop its activities. EMGF is characterized by integration and cooperation, which represents a driving force to achieve joint successes and launch steady steps towards further success and development.

Meanwhile, Granholm referred to the relations and continuous coordination between the two sides. The meeting also witnessed a review of the developments of strategic cooperation in the field of energy between the two sides and the pivotal role of the Eastern Mediterranean region in providing part of the energy supply to global markets.

Hochstein indicated that his meeting with the minister witnessed a review of the successful Egyptian experience in developing gas fields in Egypt, aspects of bilateral cooperation, and the progress of Egypt’s initiative to export natural gas to Lebanon.