Cyprus and Egypt to sign framework agreement on natural gas development

President Nikos Christodoulides and Energy Minister Michalis Damianou are traveling to Cairo to participate in the EGYPES 2026 energy exhibition and conference, scheduled from March 30 to April 1. On Monday, Minister Damianou is set to sign a framework agreement with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, regarding the development of natural gas discoveries in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, specifically the Cronos and Aphrodite fields. During the visit, President Christodoulides will hold a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations. The delegation will also meet with TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné to discuss energy cooperation. Minister Damianou is scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion on energy priorities and national security, alongside officials from Egypt, Lebanon, and the European Commission. President Christodoulides has expressed a goal of achieving the first sales of Cypriot natural gas to Europe via Egypt by 2027 or 2028. Damianou is expected to return to Cyprus on Tuesday, while the EGYPES conference continues through Wednesday.