President in Cairo for signing of energy agreements and talks with el-Sisi

Two agreements concerning the development of the 'Aphrodite' gas field and Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are to be be signed in Cairo.

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, will be visiting the Egyptian capital to attend the signing ceremony of the energy agreements and hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on bilateral and regional developments.

According to a written statement by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the agreements concern the development of the "Aphrodite" gas field and Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The signing will take place on the sidelines of the Egypt Energy Show EGYPES 2025, organised by the Egyptian government, with the participation of major energy companies.

During his visit, President Christodoulides will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry George Papanastasiou, the Government Spokesman, the Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, and Hydrocarbons Service Director Stelios Nicolaides.

Upon arrival in Cairo, the Cypriot delegation will proceed to the Al-Manara Convention Center, where President el-Sisi will officially welcome President Christodoulides. A bilateral meeting between the two leaders, attended by officials from both countries, will follow. In addition to energy cooperation, discussions are expected to cover regional developments and Cyprus-Egypt bilateral relations.

President Christodoulides will then attend the opening ceremony of EGYPES 2025. Following the ceremony, in the presence of the Presidents of Cyprus and Egypt, as well as Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the two agreements will be signed. Cyprus’ Energy Minister will sign on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus.

Specifically, the agreements include a Host Government Agreement for the development of hydrocarbons in Block 6 and a Memorandum of Understanding between Cyprus, Egypt, and the license holders (Chevron Cyprus Limited, NewMed Energy LP, and BG Cyprus Limited) for the development of the Aphrodite gas field.

After the signing ceremony, the leaders of Cyprus, Egypt, and Italy's Deputy Prime Minister will visit several exhibition booths, including the Cyprus Pavilion, before President Christodoulides departs for Cyprus.

Also, during EGYPES 2025, Minister Papanastasiou will participate in a Ministerial Roundtable discussion on the afternoon of Monday, 17 February focused on "Approaches to Energy Security and Industrial Competitiveness." He is also scheduled to meet with energy companies on Monday and Tuesday, 17 and 18 February. The Minister is expected to return to Cyprus on Wednesday, 19 February.

(Source: CNA)