The European Union (EU) and Egypt have issued a joint statement where they declared their commitment to partner to advance a just green transition. During a visit of the President of the European Commission Ms. Ursula von der Leyen last week, Egypt and the EU agreed to step up cooperation with a particular focus on renewable energy, hydrogen, clean fuel production, and energy efficiency actions.
“We are starting to tap into the full potential of EU-Egypt relations, by putting the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change at the heart of our partnership,” said Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission President.
“I look forward to working with Egypt as COP27 Presidency to build on the good momentum from last year in Glasgow. Egypt is also a crucial partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels and towards more reliable suppliers,” von der Leyen added.
The EU and Egypt will join efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and ensure ambitious outcomes at COP27, which takes place in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, this November.
EU-Egypt to partner on green hydrogen
The EU and Egypt will partner to develop the Mediterranean Hydrogen Partnership which seeks to promote investments in renewable electricity generation, strengthening and extension of electricity grids, including trans-Mediterranean interconnectors, the production of renewables and low carbon hydrogen, and the construction of storage, transport and distribution infrastructure.
“By acting together as reliable partners, Egypt and the EU will address the common challenges of security of energy supply, diversification of energy sources and transition towards a resource-efficient, socially just, resilient and, as appropriate, climate neutral economy, founded on the absence of distortions to renewable energy and clean fuel and energy trade and investment in related value chains,” the EU-Egypt joint statement reads.
Israel and Egypt agreement to supply gas to the EU
In light of the new geopolitical and energy market reality after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in line with the REPowerEU plan, the EU and Egypt will accelerate and intensify their energy partnership. Security of gas supply is a common concern.
Last week, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, together with Minister El Molla and Minister Elharrar signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the EU, Egypt and Israel for the export of natural gas to Europe.
“By acting together as reliable partners, Egypt and the EU will address the common challenges of security of energy supply, diversification of energy sources and transition towards a resource-efficient, socially just, resilient and, as appropriate, climate neutral economy, founded on the absence of distortions to renewable energy and clean fuel and energy trade and investment in related value chains.”