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By Itzhak Rabihiya

Jerusalem’s and Cairo’s energy ministries issue rare joint statement announcing implementation of estimated $19.5 billion deal to pump gas from 2 massive offshore gas fields

 Mazal Tov. Israel has started pumping natural gas to Egypt from two massive offshore fields, marking a major milestone and a historic cooperation between the countries, according to a joint statement.

The move comes shortly after natural gas started flowing from the massive Leviathan gas field, and some seven years after Israel starting pumping gas from the nearby Tamar field.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz last month signed permits for the export of gas to Egypt, calling it “a historic milestone for the State of Israel.”

Jerusalem’s and Cairo’s energy ministries issued the rare joint statement on Wednesday morning, calling the move “an important development that will serve the economic interests of both sides – The times of Israel reports.

“The step will both enable Israel to export some of its natural gas to the region via Egypt’s gas liquefaction plants, and promote Egypt’s status as a regional gas hub,” the statement said.

Steinitz and Egypt’s Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla will formally announce the move Wednesday at a meeting of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), the statement added.

During the meeting, the energy ministers of Israel, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority are expected to approve turning the EMGF into a regional organization, according to the statement.

Israel’s delegation has been working with the other countries to put together the EMGF’s treaty, which the ministers will sign, the statement said, “in what will be another significant step on the path to consolidating the organization and its activities.”

President Reuven Rivlin sent today, Wednesday 15 January letter to the President of Egypt to celebrate the opening of the natural gas pipeline and the beginning of commercial gas flow last night between Israel and Egypt.

President Rivlin wrote to President el-Sisi: “Today is a day to celebrate in the history of the relations between our two countries. As I write to you, natural gas has begun flowing from the Israeli Leviathan gas field to Egypt, linking our two countries and our two peoples. The flow of gas brings with benefits to our economies and deepens the connection between Egypt and Israel after over 40 years of peaceful relations.”

The president added, “Mr. President, the State of Israel sees our relationship with the Arab Republic of Egypt as a strategic asset. It is a vital component of regional stability and an example of what is possible in future relations across the Middle East. Our political and security cooperation are already strong foundations that bring stability and security to both our peoples, and I believe that we can widen our cooperation to additional civilian fields.”

The letter continued, “The agreement on natural gas that we are celebrating today is just one example of the many ways we can work more closely together, bringing benefit to all. I hope that our respective private sectors and entrepreneurs, some of whom I welcomed to Beit HaNasi in Jerusalem last week, will see this as an opportunity to develop many more such projects. By looking for ways to connect our peoples, we can ensure that the values of peace that our courageous leaders bequeathed us in the historic peace treaty become part of today's relations between the next generations of Israelis and Egyptians. Bringing the fruits of peace to our peoples would be the greatest tribute to their brave leadership and the best guarantee of a better, safer future for us all.”

In conclusion, the president wrote, “Mr. President, our region is undergoing a period of profound change. As leaders of our peoples with their interests at heart, I hope we can add our contribution in the search for stability and peace,” and signed his name in English and Arabic.