Egypt, Turkey study navigation route, natural gas exports

Egypt and Turkey discussed on Sunday a proposal to launch a navigation route between Egyptian and Turkish ports and the latest developments in the natural gas deal signed earlier this year by the two countries.

Minister of Petroleum Sameh Fahmy and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Culer met in Cairo on Wednesday to review the steps taken to put the natural gas agreement, signed in March, into effect.

Fahmy and Culer also explored technical cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas prosecution.

"We have agreed with the Turkish side to launch a navigation route between Al-Areesh Mediterranean port and the Turkish Mediterranean sea port of Ceyhan," said Fahmy, noting that each side will undertake the cost of the route in its respective territorial section.

A working group has been commissioned to conduct the project's study of feasibility, he said.

Culer said that his country is giving a priority to importing the Egyptian natural gas and aims to work as a transit point to pass the Egyptian gas exports to Europe.