Egypt can receive as much gas quantities as Cyprus can export, Sherif Ismail told reporters in Nicosia.

The gas from a field off Cyprus’ southern coast that’s estimated to hold 3.6 trillion to 6 trillion cubic feet could be piped directly to Egypt’s processing facilities and used to meet the country’s energy needs.

Ismail said the gas could also be processed so that it can be exported to other countries.

He was speaking after talks here with Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis.

In a joint statement, the two ministers said they agreed to “build on the emerging momentum by enhancing and deepening the cooperation between the two Governments in the hydrocarbons sector to their mutual benefit. In this context, they agreed to expedite discussions on exporting Cypriot natural gas to Egypt.”

Also on Tuesday Lakkotrypis is holding bilateral talks with his Greek counterpart Yiannis Maniatis, followed by a three-way meeting between energy officials of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

The meetings follow a summit of the three countries’ heads of state held in Cairo earlier this month.

Source: Cyprus Mail