The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum has been transformed into a regional organisation that will be based in Cairo, following the ministerial signing of a charter.
The charter was signed on Egypt’s behalf by Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla.
The Egyptian minister said that the charter’s registration to establish the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Organization was completed in 20 months, with the organisation open to receiving new member states.
He added that the private sector played a significant role in pushing the charter through, with the new organisation set to play a key role in cooperation between the participating countries.
Natasa Pilides, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry for Cyprus, said that her country supported Egypt’s initiative from the first moment. She added that it is important the organisation provide support to its gas producers, noting that any country can be an observer within the organisation.
The formal announcement of the Cairo-based Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum’s creation was made in October 2018. The event was witnessed at a tripartite summit meeting between Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
In January 2019, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that the forum would be headquartered in Cairo. It would initially include the membership of Energy Ministers representing Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Israel.
The forum aims to establish an international organisation that respects the rights of members regarding their natural resources, in accordance with the principles of international law. It also looks to support their efforts in benefiting from their natural reserves, whilst making use of the current infrastructure in place. The forum will support member states in building new infrastructure, with the aim of securing their energy needs for the benefit and welfare of their people.
