MEMORANDUM
OF
UNDERSTANDING
ON
COOPERATION
RELATED
TO
TRADE,
TRANSPORT,
AND
EXPORT
OF
NATURAL
GAS
TO
THE
EUROPEAN
UNION
BETWEEN
THE
EUROPEAN
UNION
REPRESENTED
BY
THE
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
THE
ARAB
REPUBLIC
OF
EGYPT
REPRESENTED
BY
THE
MINISTRY
OF
PETROLEUM
AND
MINERAL
RESOURCES
THE
STATE
OF
ISRAEL
REPRESENTED
BY
THE
MINISTRY
OF
ENERGY
TOGETHER
HEREINAFTER
REFERRED
TO
AS
THE
"SIDES
”
,
Emphasising
the
importance
of
regional
cooperation
between
natural
gas
producing
and
consuming
countries
to
support
security
of
the
energy
supply;
Recalling
the
objectives
defined
under
the
Paris
Agreement
that
has
been
ratified
by
the
Sides
and
that
defines
their
commitment
to
reducing
greenhouse
gas
emissions;
Acknowledging
that
natural
gas
shall
continue
to
play
an
important
role
in
terms
of
energy
consumption
and
electricity
generation
in
the
European
Union
until
2030,
after
which
its
use
in
the
European
Union
will
decline
in
line
with
its
climate
neutrality
commitment
by
2050;
Recalling
the
importance
of
the
recent
declarations,
initiatives
and
agreements
in
implementing
the
cooperation
of
the
Sides
in
the
field
of
energy,
in
particular:
•
The
Memorandum
of
Understanding
on
a
Strategic
partnership
on
energy
between
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
and
the
European
Union
signed
in
2018;
•
The
Memorandum
of
Understanding
between
the
Ministry
of
Petroleum
and
Mineral
Resources
of
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
and
the
Ministry
of
Energy
of
the
State
of
Israel
signed
in
November
2021,
which
aims
to
set
forth
a
general
framework
to
study
the
construction
and
operation
of
a
pipeline
to
transport
additional
quantities
of
natural
gas
from
Israel's
offshore
gas
fields
to
Egypt;
•
The
East
Mediterranean
Gas
Forum
Statute
signed
on
22
nd
September
2020,
which
established
a
regional
inter-governmental
organization
of
natural
gas
producing,
consuming
and
transit
countries,
which
aims
to
coordinate
structured
discussions
and
develop
joint
initiatives
with
the
objective
of
supporting
and
accelerating
the
establishment
of
an
efficient
and
competitive
regional
East
Mediterranean
gas
market.
Noting
that
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
and
the
State
of
Israel,
along
with
four
EU
member
states
(Cyprus,
France,
Greece
and
Italy),
are
members
of
the
East
Mediterranean
Gas
Forum,
of
which
the
European
Union
is
an
observer,
and
which
serves
as
a
platform
for
a
structured
policy
dialogue
on
natural
gas;
1
Noting
the
intention
of
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
to
serve
as
a
regional
energy
hub
for
natural
gas;
With
a
view
to
recording
their
intention
to
work
together
on
the
transport,
trade
and
export
of
natural
gas
to
the
European
Union
and
enhancing
their
cooperation
on
their
respective
green
energy
transitions;
THE
SIDES
HAVE
DECIDED
to
conclude
the
following
Memorandum
of
Understanding:
Section
1
(Affordable,
Stable
and
Secure
Natural
Gas
Supply)
The
Sides
will
endeavour
to
work
collectively
towards
enabling
a
stable
delivery
of
natural
gas
to
the
EU
that
is
consistent
with
long-term
decarbonisation
objectives
and
is
based
on
the
principle
of
market-oriented
pricing,
to
the
extent
that
it
coincides
with
each
Side
’
s
domestic
laws,
regulations,
policies
and
procedures.
Any
shipment
of
natural
gas
from
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
and
the
State
of
Israel
to
the
European
Union
may
be
shipped
inter
alia
via
the
use
of
the
LNG
infrastructure
in
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt.
The
activities
contemplated
in
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
shall
be
without
prejudice
to,
and
shall
not
restrict
the
ability
of,
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
or
the
State
of
Israel
to
export
natural
gas
to
other
buyers
or
through
other
routes.
Any
natural
gas
to
be
shipped
to
the
European
Union
will
originate
either
from
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt,
the
State
of
Israel,
or
any
other
source
in
the
East
Mediterranean
region,
including
EU
Member
States
in
the
region,
that
is
deemed
acceptable
by
the
Sides.
This
goal
is
without
prejudice
to
the
needs
of
the
local
consumption
of
the
domestic
markets,
as
well
as
to
the
existing
and
future
contractual
commitments
of
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
and
the
State
of
Israel,
or
their
licensees.
The
Sides
will
endeavour
to
promote
the
reduction
of
methane
leakages,
and
in
particular
examine
new
technologies
for
reducing
venting
and
flaring
and
explore
possibilities
for
the
utilisation
of
captured
methane
throughout
the
entire
supply
chain.
Section
2
(Implementation)
The
Sides
will
explore
the
possibility
of
working
collaboratively
to
set
forth
the
appropriate
ways
and
means
for
implementing
the
purpose
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
in
order
to
expedite
the
export
of
natural
gas
to
the
EU.
Such
collaboration
will
focus
on,
but
not
be
limited
to
the
following
areas:
2
a)
Formulating
a
plan
for
the
efficient
utilization
of
infrastructure
in
order
to
accelerate
the
export
and
shipment
of
natural
gas
to
the
EU;
b)
Developing
a
road
map
for
attaining
the
requisite
governmental
and
regulatory
approvals
for
advancing
the
objectives
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding;
c)
Endeavouring
to
encourage
by
the
EU
for
European
companies
to
invest
in
natural
gas
exploration
and
production
in
Israel
and
Egypt,
including
participation
in
competitive
tenders
for
exploration
licenses
taking
into
consideration
the
EU
’
s
climate
policies
and
its
REPowerEU
strategy;
d)
Exploring
possibilities
to
apply
carbon
capture
and
carbon
sequestration,
and
assisting
in
the
creation
of
a
plan
to
reduce
emissions
of
natural
gas
to
international
industry
best-practice
standards;
e)
Exploring
ways
to
make
funds
available,
including
by
the
EU
to
develop
technologies,
and
provide
best-practice
standards,
knowledge
and
technologies
regarding
emissions
reduction
and
natural
gas
decarbonization.
Section
3
(Environmental
Protection)
The
Sides
will
endeavour
to
ensure,
jointly
and
severally,
that
future
investments
in
projects
or
activities
developed
within
the
framework
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
will
not
cause
pollution
of
the
marine
or
land
environment,
or
damage
by
pollution
to
a
coastline,
shore
facilities
or
amenities,
or
be
a
hindrance
to
vessels
or
fishing
gear
of
any
country.
Section
4
(Safety)
The
Sides
may
consult
one
another
with
a
view
to
preventing
safety
hazards
to
the
extent
necessary
for
natural
gas
infrastructure
used
for
the
trade,
transport
and
export
of
natural
gas
between
the
Sides,
in
accordance
with
each
Side
’
s
domestic
laws,
regulations,
policies
and
procedures.
3
Section
5
(Promotion
of
Hydrogen,
Green
Energy
Production,
and
Energy
Efficiency)
The
Sides
will
endeavour
to
encourage
the
Sides'
public
and
private
sector
corporations
to
cooperate
on
the
means
for
achieving
green
energy
goals
and
combatting
climate
change
in
the
following
areas:
Hydrogen
-
Utilizing
renewable
and
low
carbon
hydrogen
in
a
large
number
of
applications
such
as
industrial
processes,
transportation
and
energy
storage.
Green
Energy
-
Developing
safe
and
sustainable
energy
technologies
and
identifying
innovative
ideas
for
enhancing
incentives
for
promoting
the
use
of
green
energy,
and
finding
solutions
relating
to
their
integration
into
the
energy
grid.
Energy
Efficiency
-
Promoting
energy
efficiency.
Section
6
(Meetings
of
the
Sides)
The
Sides
intend
to
meet
in
order
to
monitor
the
adequate
implementation
of
the
provisions
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding,
and
may
meet
at
least
once
a
year
at
a
place
and
time
mutually
agreed
by
the
Sides,
or
upon
the
request
of
any
Side.
The
Sides,
may,
from
time
to
time,
propose
a
Ministerial
level
meeting
for
strategic
matters,
including
the
renewable
energy
transition.
Section
7
(The
Laws
in
Force
&
Dispute
Settlement)
Nothing
in
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
will
create
any
legally
binding
obligations
or
commitments,
or
any
financial
obligations
or
commitments,
between
the
Sides
or
in
relation
to
any
third
party,
under
domestic
or
international
law.
This
Memorandum
of
Understanding
does
not
constitute
an
obligation
to
allocate
funds.
The
implementation
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
and
any
other
activity
hereunder
shall
be
in
accordance
with
each
Side
’
s
domestic
laws,
regulations,
policies
and
procedures,
as
well
as
each
Side
’
s
international
obligations.
Any
dispute
that
may
arise
between
the
Sides
regarding
the
application
or
interpretation
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
shall
be
settled
amicably
through
mutual
consultation
or
negotiation
between
the
Sides,
in
good
faith
and
in
the
spirit
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding,
through
diplomatic
channels,
and
will
not
be
referred
to
any
national
or
international
tribunal
or
third
party
for
settlement.
4
Section
8
(
Confidentiality)
1.
It
is
the
intention
of
the
Sides
to
exchange
information
generated
in
the
course
of
the
implementation
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding.
2.
Subject
to
its
applicable
domestic
law,
a
Side
will
not
disclose
to
third
parties
any
information
received
from
any
other
Side,
including
any
information
expressed
in
writing
or
orally,
without
its
prior
written
consent.
3.
Notwithstanding
the
above,
a
Side
may
disclose
information
generated
during
the
course
of
the
implementation
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding,
without
obtaining
the
other
Side
’
s
prior
written
consent,
to
any
consultant
or
legal
counsel
retained
by
said
Side,
in
order
to
facilitate
the
implementation
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding,
provided
that
said
Side
requires
its
consultant
or
legal
counsel
to
subject
itself
in
writing
to
the
terms
of
this
section.
4.
This
section
will
not
apply
to
information
which
was
in
the
public
domain
before
being
disclosed
or
information
which
was
already
known
by
the
receiving
participant
before
its
dissemination.
Section
9
(Duration
&
Termination)
This
Memorandum
of
Understanding
will
come
into
effect
on
the
date
of
its
signature
by
the
Sides
and
will
continue
to
have
effect
for
a
period
of
three
(3)
years.
It
will
be
renewed
automatically
for
two
successive
three
(3)
year
periods.
This
Memorandum
of
Understanding
may
be
modified
by
the
written
consent
of
the
Sides,
and
such
modifications
will
come
into
effect
with
the
same
procedures
that
were
followed
for
coming
into
effect
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
on
the
date
determined
by
the
Sides.
Any
such
modification
will
be
included
in
an
addendum
signed
by
the
Sides
and
will
form
an
integral
part
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding.
This
Memorandum
of
Understanding
may
be
terminated
by
a
six
(6)
months
’
prior
written
notice
via
diplomatic
channels
by
any
of
the
Sides.
The
termination
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding
will
not
affect
any
ongoing
activity
arising
out
of
this
Memorandum
of
Understanding,
unless
the
Sides
agree
otherwise
in
writing.
5
Signed
in
Cairo
on
15
th
June
2022,
in
three
original
copies
in
English
language
equally
authentic.
For
the
European
Union
For
the
Ministry
of
Petroleum
and
Mineral
Resources
of
the
Arab
Republic
of
Egypt
Kadri
Simson
EU
Commissioner
for
Energy
Eng.
Tarek
El
Molla
For
the
Ministry
of
Energy
of
Israel
Karine
Elharrar
Miniśter
'
6
