CAIRO: An agreement to raise the price of Egyptian gas exported to Jordan will open the way for boosting prices to other markets, notably Israel, the Egyptian oil minister said in remarks published on Tuesday.
Egypt said in April it would review gas contracts, including those with Israel and Jordan, amid accusations the government of ousted president Hosni Mubarak had improperly negotiated the sale of gas at preferential prices.
A newspaper reported in May that Jordan agreed to a new price for Egyptian gas. Egypt resumed pumping natural gas to Israel on Friday after supplies were halted in April following an attack on a pipeline.
"Reaching an agreement with Jordan to modify the price of Egyptian gas is a start towards amending prices to other states, with Israel at the forefront," Al-Dostor newspaper quoted Petroleum Minister Abdullah Ghorab as saying.
The Petroleum Ministry spokesman could not be reached for comment.
"Jordan’s agreement will help negotiations with other countries," the minister said, adding that Egypt was determined to ensure deals matched international prices.
"The Jordanians were flexible and cooperative," Ghorab said, adding that the newly agreed price with Jordan was "satisfying and acceptable." He did not give a figure.
