Egypt, Cyprus Ink Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Gas

Egypt and Cyprus have signed a framework agreement on gas cooperation, strengthening efforts to develop offshore resources and expand energy trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed on Monday, 30 March, during the Egypt 2026 Energy Show in Cairo. Officials said the non-binding framework will guide negotiations on future deals focused on the development and commercialisation of Cyprus’s gas reserves.

A spokesperson for the Cypriot presidency said the agreement provides a foundation for further arrangements, including the potential sale of natural gas from Cyprus’s Kronos and Aphrodite offshore fields to Egypt or its state-owned energy companies.

Cypriot officials indicated that gas extraction from the Kronos field could begin between 2027 and 2028, marking a key step in bringing new supplies to market.

“This agreement lays the groundwork for deeper collaboration in gas development and trade,” a government official said, pointing to growing cooperation between the two countries.

The latest deal builds on agreements signed in 2025, which enabled Cyprus to export gas to Egypt for liquefaction and re-export to European markets. Both countries are seeking to strengthen the Eastern Mediterranean’s position as a key energy hub.

Egypt continues to face rising energy costs linked to regional instability, with disruptions across the Middle East affecting oil and gas supply chains. In response, authorities have introduced measures including fuel price increases, reduced energy consumption policies and restrictions on business operating hours.

The agreement signals continued momentum in regional energy partnerships as countries look to secure supply and expand export capacity amid shifting global market conditions.