Egypt Aims to Meet Europe’s Growing Demand for Energy  

The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, the Swedish ambassador in Cairo and a delegation from the European Union during an event hosted by the Swedish embassy on the energy link between Egypt and Europe, on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, the Swedish ambassador in Cairo and a delegation from the European Union during an event hosted by the Swedish embassy on the energy link between Egypt and Europe, on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Egypt Aims to Meet Europe’s Growing Demand for Energy  

The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, the Swedish ambassador in Cairo and a delegation from the European Union during an event hosted by the Swedish embassy on the energy link between Egypt and Europe, on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, the Swedish ambassador in Cairo and a delegation from the European Union during an event hosted by the Swedish embassy on the energy link between Egypt and Europe, on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Swedish Embassy in Cairo hosted a panel discussion with European and Egyptian policy makers and representatives of the business community to discuss policies, priorities and financial mechanisms to support the energy transition and link Europe and Egypt in this field.

This comes amid efforts by European Union countries to achieve energy security while seeking to reach carbon neutrality.

Sweden’s ambassador to Egypt Hakan Emsgard said: “The demand for sustainable energy in Europe is increasing, and Egypt is in a good position to provide the continent with this energy... This will benefit both sides economically, and will also benefit the climate, as energy can be used more efficiently and sustainably.”

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Moulla stressed that the geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in the energy market pushed countries to further diversify their energy sources in order to achieve energy security.

He said energy security and energy neutrality were two complementary goals, adding that Egypt aims to play a key role in the flow of global energy trade and to promote a better environment to ensure continued cooperation.

“Egypt has proven that it possesses the keys to being a regional hub for gas and oil through its strategic location, well-established energy industry and strong infrastructure,” El-Moulla emphasized.

Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt Ambassador Christian Berger said: “If we want to offer a green deal for Europe, and make the European Union a model for a just and sustainable transition, we believe we cannot do it alone. We need to invite and help others to do the same. Then, we will be able to really influence the future of our world.”



Iran's Rial Hits a Record Low, Battered by Regional Tensions and Energy Crisis

An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
TT

Iran's Rial Hits a Record Low, Battered by Regional Tensions and Energy Crisis

An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)
An Iranian trader counts money in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. (Reuters)

The Iranian rial on Wednesday fell to its lowest level in history, losing more than 10% of value since Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November and signaling new challenges for Tehran as it remains locked in the wars raging in the Middle East.

The rial traded at 777,000 rials to the dollar, traders in Tehran said, down from 703,000 rials on the day Trump won.

Iran’s Central Bank has in the past flooded the market with more hard currencies in an attempt to improve the rate.

In an interview with state television Tuesday night, Central Bank Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said that the supply of foreign currency would increase and the exchange rate would be stabilized. He said that $220 million had been injected into the currency market, The AP reported.

The currency plunged as Iran ordered the closure of schools, universities, and government offices on Wednesday due to a worsening energy crisis exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. The crisis follows a summer of blackouts and is now compounded by severe cold, snow and air pollution.

Despite Iran’s vast natural gas and oil reserves, years of underinvestment and sanctions have left the energy sector ill-prepared for seasonal surges, leading to rolling blackouts and gas shortages.

In 2015, during Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, the rial was at 32,000 to $1. On July 30, the day that Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian was sworn in and began his term, the rate was 584,000 to $1.

Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking years of tensions between the countries that persist today.

Iran’s economy has struggled for years under crippling international sanctions over its rapidly advancing nuclear program, which now enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels.

Pezeshkian, elected after a helicopter crash killed hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi in May, came to power on a promise to reach a deal to ease Western sanctions.

Tensions still remain high between the nations, 45 years after the 1979 US Embassy takeover and the 444-day hostage crisis that followed. Before the revolution, the rial traded at 70 for $1.