Filenews 9 June 2022
A draft for the European Union's proposed agreement with Egypt and Israel to boost gas imports from the eastern Mediterranean has been prepared by the European Commission in an effort to reduce the bloc's dependence on Russia's fossil fuels, according to Reuters.
The draft memorandum of understanding is dated June 7, according to the agency, and is still subject to change and needs approval from the governments involved.
The gas to be sent to the European Union will come either from the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Israel or any other source in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including the EU member states in the region," the nine-page document said.
The EU has publicly stated that it intends to conclude a trilateral agreement with Egypt and Israel before the summer.
Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Cairo next week.
The European Commission declined to comment on the draft agreement, as well as whether von der Leyen's trip is related to the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
The draft agreement sets out the principles for enhanced cooperation between the three partners, but does not indicate the amount of gas that the EU will import or set a specific timetable for deliveries.
The memorandum of understanding will have a duration of nine years from its signature, according to the draft, although this may change.
Source: Capital.gr
