Energy ministers of Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt discuss regional gas corridors in Athens

On October 7, 2026, the energy ministers of Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt met in Athens during a conference organized by the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) and HELLENiQ ENERGY to discuss the advancement of the Eastern Mediterranean energy corridor. Cyprus Energy Minister Michael Damianos, Greek Minister Stavros Papastavrou, and Egyptian Minister Karim Badawi held both bilateral and trilateral meetings to coordinate regional energy infrastructure strategies.

A central topic was the integration of the Cypriot 'Cronus' gas field into the regional energy chain, with production targeted to begin in 2028. The ministers discussed a new strategic route involving the transport of liquefied natural gas from Egypt to Greece, where it would enter the Greek gas system and flow into the 'Vertical Corridor' toward Central and Eastern European markets. This plan aims to utilize existing Egyptian liquefaction facilities at Idku and Damietta.

Beyond 'Cronus', the discussions touched upon the development of the 'Aphrodite' field and ongoing exploration by the ExxonMobil-QatarEnergy consortium in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. The ministers emphasized that deeper cooperation between governments and energy companies is essential for ensuring regional energy security and achieving the efficient export of maritime resources to international markets.