Pileidou: The EuroAsia Interconnector changes the rules of the game

EuroAsia Interconnector has the potential to change the rules of the game for energy security and energy supply in European markets and elsewhere, said on Monday the Minister of Energy, Natasa Pileidou, after the end of the tripartite meeting with its counterparts in Israel and Greece, Karin Elharar & nbsp; and Costa Skreka & nbsp; respectively, in Jerusalem.

Ms. Peilidou also stressed the importance of strategic cooperation in times of instability, especially during the current crisis in Ukraine. These partnerships “not only involve the benefits of friendships in our region and between our countries, but also bring practical results for alternatives that we can offer to the world and in Europe in the field of energy security, as well as to be capable to rely on ourselves, safeguarding our own safety, “he said.

One of the main energy programs discussed during the Tripartite was the EuroAsia Interconnector. “We are proud to have secured more than € 650 million in funding from the European Union, which is making this a reality. We are already committed to building the project, which has the potential to change the rules of the game for energy. security and energy supply in European markets and elsewhere, despite the many challenges that are happening in the world today “, said Ms. & nbsp; Pileidou.

Regarding the EastMed energy corridor, which aims to supply the European markets with natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean, Ms. Peilidou stressed that the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum & nbsp; and the working groups that have been set up and set the framework for energy cooperation at regional level, “are an excellent environment for discussing such projects”, such as the EastMed pipeline or the possibility of Afro deposits. and Glafkos to be exported to Egypt via a pipeline, most likely transporting Israeli natural gas. “

Ms. Peleidou also stressed the importance not only of discussing the various alternatives, but also of the need to project these possibilities to the European Union effectively, so that the roadmap agreed to be implemented in the coming months and years.

Following the completion of the bilateral meeting between Peleidos and Elharar, the Israeli Minister of Energy announced the process agreed upon to begin the settlement of the dispute between Cyprus and Israel over the Aphrodite and Issai deposits. In particular, Karin Elharar stated that a roadmap will be jointly defined, which will define the process of cooperation of the working groups on behalf of the two countries. The working groups will meet on a monthly basis and the two Ministers will hold mutual information meetings in order to find the best possible solution to the dispute soon. It was also decided that, as a first step, a common acceptance expert will be appointed, whose work will be determined by the working groups.

The Greek Minister of Energy, Costas Skrekas, stressed that the cooperation of Greece, the Cyprus and Israel in multilateral energy schemes, including the & nbsp; EastMed pipeline, a network of & nbsp; LNG & nbsp; stations and the & nbsp; EuroAsia & nbsp; Interconnector, are of paramount importance for the further development of tripartite regional cooperation. “The implementation of these programs will be to the benefit of our countries, the wider region and Europe, because they will further enhance energy security. This can be made possible by the configuration of an energy corridor towards the European markets through Cyprus and Greece, with the combination of & nbsp; LNG & nbsp; substations and gas pipelines “.

KYPE