The link would be made by an undersea cable that transports power across the Mediterranean Sea
Greece agreed on Tuesday to build an underwater cable that would transmit power across the Mediterranean to connect Egypt to the European Union’s energy market.
“Greece will be [Egypt’s] connection to Europe,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated after meetings with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Athens. “We’re looking for ways to diversify our energy sources, and Egypt has the potential to become a provider of solar-powered electricity.”
It comes amid a worldwide energy shortage that has driven up the cost of natural gas, oil, and other fuels, causing hardship for businesses and individuals. According to Mitsotakis, the project will serve as a “bridge between Egypt and Europe,” allowing Cairo to “take on a crucial role in energy security at a time when the energy market is undergoing considerable upheaval.”
Egypt and Greece and Cyprus inked separate agreements last week to build underwater interconnectors, though the details of the prospective enterprises have yet to be worked out.
The meeting in Athens also included Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, marking the ninth round of discussions between the leaders of the three nations.
Greece is trying to extend energy cooperation with Egypt and Israel across the Mediterranean, despite ongoing disagreements with Turkey over maritime limits and seabed mining rights.
Mitsotakis charged Turkey with maintaining a hostile stance against Athens over the dispute.
“Turkey’s goals in the eastern Mediterranean at the cost of its neighbors clearly pose a danger to regional peace,” he added.
Turkey has accused Greece of making excessive demands for marine exploitation, demanding sovereignty over a number of islands along its coast. Athens claims it wants the matter resolved through an international court.
Greece built an underwater cable energy link between the southern Peloponnese area and the island of Crete earlier this year.