Fine words fail to camouflage East Med challenges

Geopolitical problems and surging global LNG output mean that East Med gas reserves will struggle to reach markets outside the region

Government ministers from Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority—members of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF)—met in Cairo at the end of July. The grouping was formed in January to encourage greater integration in the region. The ministers issued a statement after their meeting that ticked all the right boxes, but contained little of substance. They agreed to "promote regional energy cooperation" to "exploit the resources of the region and provide access to a sustainable regional gas market". They also pledged to "develop more infrastructure to facilitate the exploitation of future gas discoveries" and seek further involvement of the private sector in energy