Adel El Bahnasawy
On Wednesday 15th, Cairo is hosting an important meeting of the member states of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum. The meeting includes the ministers of oil and energy in Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Italy, and a high-level representative of the American government.
The parties to the meeting are keen to produce positive and extremely important results Focusing on Egypt, as it is the only country which is ready to become a pioneer in managing the gas trade file for the Eastern Mediterranean countries and occupying the regional center of energy, with its strong infrastructure and attractive legislation for investors and energy market trade.
A prominent expert stated that l; according to the principles set by the US, Egypt drew the lines with its neighboring countries; such as Cyprus and Israel.
This led to attracting the international companies to invest and search for gas. Which resulted in the discovery of 3 major gas fields in Egypt, Aphrodite in Cyprus and Leviathan in Israel.
“Among these countries, only Egypt has facility stations; through which, it can export any excessive gas to international markets; even to Korea and Japan.” The startegic expert proceeded.
This happened indeed. As that, gas was exported from Leviathan, Israel, to the international markets through the facility stations in Egypt; which raised Egypt as a strategic insurance company to transit more energy to the international markets.
The expert claims that these steps drove Turkey crazy as it was dreaming that the Israeli gas would pass through its territories to Europe and Turkey, and it is the only country that admits Turkish Cyprus, refusing to recognize the maritime borders of Greek Cyprus. Subsequently, piracy is practiced on search boats and excavators in the waters of Cyprus.
In perspective on the circumstance in Cyprus when it produces gas, it will flood its small market, therefore its arrangements to export it through two tracks were either an enormous sea line to Greece at an expense of $6 billion dollars and 5 years of construction, which won’t be economically feasible except if extra and future quantities are pumped from Israel or from Egypt. As well as by a small sea line to Egyptian liquefaction stations.
On the Turkish scene, in light of this situation, the expert says that Turkey has become idle with no effective role. In addition, the delusional demarcation of the border between Turkey and Libya is an adaptation process to Cyprus only; which prevents it from extending a large maritime line to Greece, which in turn has a historical dispute with Turkey.
As for the Egyptian situation, the expert said that Egypt is a majestic victor; now and in the future.
Furthermore, The European Union nations reject the Turkish bulling and decline to perceive the circumstance that Turkey is attempting to force on Cyprus. In this way, the expert says, with consolation from Egypt and Europe, and as a sort of challenge and response to Erdogan’s arrogance, Greece, Cyprus and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the construction of the grand line, which won’t be constructed nearly on the grounds as it isn’t currently economically feasible.
The expert consoled the Egyptians and said that Egypt was mindful to each progression and prepared with its thoughts as well as with her armed forces capable of protecting her interests.
