Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El Molla has described Italy as “Europe’s energy gateway” and affirmed Egypt’s desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries, according to ANSAmed.

The,minister’s comments came during the Mediterranean Dialogues held in Rome on November 23, a conference designed to foster collaboration among countries in the region.

“At the start of this year we signed a memorandum of understanding on energy with the European Union that will make Egypt a considerable energy supplier in alternative to existing suppliers,” El Molla said.

The minister pointed out Egypt’s keenness to cooperate with countries that seeks using its infrastructure in light of its untapped potential natural gas lying in the Mediterranean Sea.