Cairo affirmed today, Thursday, that the gas deal with Israel is a "purely commercial deal concluded based on purely economic and investment considerations, and does not entail any political dimensions or understandings."
This statement comes the day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approval of the gas deal with Egypt, which he said is "the largest in Israel's history," valued at about 35 billion dollars, allowing the export of gas from Israel's Leviathan field to Egypt until 2040.
Diaa Rashwan, head of the General Authority for Information affiliated with the Egyptian Presidency, said in a statement that what happened is a commercial contract subject to market rules and international investment mechanisms, far from any political exploitation or interpretation.
He emphasized that Egypt's position on the Palestinian issue "is steadfast and will not change, and is based on supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, rejecting forced displacement, and adhering to the two-state solution."
Rashwan added that this agreement achieves "a clear strategic interest for Egypt, manifested in strengthening its position as the only regional center for gas trading in the Eastern Mediterranean, relying on advanced infrastructure and huge investments."
He pointed out that "what happened is a commercial contract subject to market rules and international investment mechanisms, far from any political exploitation or interpretation."
He added that the parties to the agreement are well-known international commercial companies in the energy sector, including the American company "Chevron," alongside Egyptian companies specialized in receiving, transporting, and trading gas, without any direct government intervention in concluding these contracts.
He emphasized that the timing of the announcement does not change the fact that the agreement is the result of commercial negotiations that took place during a previous period.
Egypt's position on the Palestinian issue is steadfast and will not change, and is based on supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, rejecting forced displacement, and adhering to the two-state solution.
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Cairo: The Gas Deal with Israel is Purely Commercial and Does Not Entail Any Political Dimensions