20441 - New significant step for the East Med pipeline

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Vicky Baklessi

The East Med pipeline which will cross the Eastern Mediterranean, has not only been included in the Projects of Common Interest of the European Committee, something significant on its own, since it was similarly done with the Interconnector EuroAsia in the previous year, but also its study will be financed with an amount in the range of two million Euro by the authorized committee of the European Union. This practically means that the plan which concerns Greece, Italy, Israel, and Cyprus, passes onto the next stage, since now it is not only a local vision and will be included as a study in a much stronger European context which proves also its interest in the energy sector. The fact that this pipeline will pass from the natural gas fields of Israel, Cyprus and Greece shows its strategic interest. The length of the pipeline is in the range of 1.700 kilometers. Specifically 150 klm Levantine Basin – Cyprus, 500 klm Cyprus – Crete, 400 klm Crete-Peloponnese, 500 klm Peloponnese – Thesprotia (Mainland). In this manner it will reach the point of interconnection with the Poseidon pipeline. This pipeline increases of course the access diversification which is a significant factor for the entire European Union who wants to avoid the complete dependence from traditional sources. With the East – Med pipeline the entire research is in practice empowered within the Eastern Mediterranean.