Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, met with George Papanastasiou, the Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, who was visiting Israel along with senior officials from his Ministry.
During the meeting, the Ministers discussed enhancing energy cooperation, recognizing its significant potential for both nations. They affirmed their commitment to bolstering the regional alliance and advancing joint energy projects, particularly emphasizing the construction of a submarine electric cable linking Israel to Cyprus and onward to Europe, known as the Great Sea Interconnector.
Additionally, Ministers Cohen and Papanastasiou explored initiatives to develop natural gas transmission infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Cyprus Gateway project aimed at transporting Israeli and regional natural gas to Europe via Cyprus.
The urgent need to address the Aphrodite – Ishai cross-border natural gas reservoir issue was also a key topic of discussion.
Before the meeting, the Ministers toured the Reading Power Station in Tel Aviv, accompanied by officials from both ministries and Israelโs Electricity Authority, to assess the feasibility of establishing the underwater electricity connection at the site.
Minister Cohen highlighted the importance of Cyprus as a regional ally and stressed the significance of energy cooperation in enhancing Israel’s position in the region and ensuring energy independence.
Minister Papanastasiou emphasized the shared vision between Cyprus and Israel for the Eastern Mediterranean and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to advance energy cooperation. He underscored the importance of close coordination in promoting projects like the Great Sea Interconnector and resolving issues such as Aphrodite – Ishai. Additionally, he highlighted Cyprus’s role as a gateway for natural gas to European markets, contributing to the creation of a reliable East Med energy corridor.
Both Ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing cooperation in the fields of electricity and natural gas, with a focus on mutual benefits and regional stability.
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