LOC13:40
10:40 GMT
CAIRO, May 29 (KUNA) -- Oil and energy ministers of countries involved in
the Arab gas pipeline will meet here on Saturday to discuss and review the
different stages of the project and lay down a timeline for its completion.
Egyptian Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmi, in a statement to reporters on
Friday, said that the meeting was to coordinate over the next phase and to
support the project, which was the only Arab venture that was planned for and
implemented this decade.
The gas pipeline is considered one of the most important regional gas
networks, he noted, adding that it was of strategic value to Arabs and would
boost joint cooperation.
Moreover, he said the Arab network would be linked to the European one, and
thus would be one of the vital gas suppliers to Europe, thereby increasing
trade exchange between Arab and European countries.
Moreover, he said the meeting would see the discussion of activating
"agreements in principle" over the selling and purchase of gas between Egypt
and Lebanon through Syria.
The meeting will be presided by Egypt, and will be attended by the oil and
energy ministers of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. (end)
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