Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with George Papanastasiou, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, in Nicosia. Senior representatives from Eni and TotalEnergies also attended the meeting. The discussion focused on the progress of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, which is scheduled to be linked to Egypt’s energy infrastructure by 2027.
Within the framework of the Steering Committee overseeing the development of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, Egypt and Cyprus reiterated their commitment to the project’s agreed timelines. The committee further reviewed the status of the technical and implementation agreements, now in their final stages of preparation for a definitive investment decision expected this year.
Badawi stressed Egypt’s readiness to complete the project and establish a new regional energy corridor. He emphasized that this would enhance regional cooperation and benefit both countries. He also stressed Egypt’s commitment to removing any obstacles the project may encounter.
The two ministers further reviewed the latest developments concerning the Aphrodite natural gas field, including finalized implementation agreements and ongoing marine surveys for the planned gas pipeline route. These surveys are taking place in both the Cypriot and Egyptian exclusive economic zones, preparing to link the field to Egypt’s facilities.
At the end of the meeting, Badawi invited his Cypriot counterpart to visit Egypt for the next Steering Committee meeting. The visit would inclue a tour of the gas processing facilities in Port Said, as well as the Damietta liquefaction plant.
In February 2025, Egypt and Cyprus signed an agreement to start developing the Cypriot natural gas discoveries, using Egyptian infrastructure. The agreement was signed during the EGYPES 2025 conference.