Head of the Information Authority: The Gas Deal Is Purely Commercial, Concluded Based on Purely Economic and Investment Considerations, and Does Not Involve Any Political Dimensions or Understandings

Diaa Rashwan, Head of the General Information Authority, confirmed that regarding what has been published and circulated by some media platforms and social media about the gas deal between Egypt and Israel, the agreement under discussion is a purely commercial deal concluded based on purely economic and investment considerations, and does not involve any political dimensions or understandings of any kind.

He pointed out that what took place is a commercial contract subject to market rules and international investment mechanisms, away from any political exploitation or interpretation.

Rashwan emphasized that the parties to the agreement are well-known international commercial companies operating in the energy sector for years, 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 announced that the agreement comes within the framework of a clear strategic interest for Egypt, represented in enhancing its position as the sole regional hub for gas trading in the Eastern Mediterranean, relying on advanced infrastructure and massive investments in liquefaction plants and transportation networks, ensuring the sustainability of operating these assets and maximizing their economic benefit.

The Head of the General Information Authority added that Egypt possesses an integrated and advanced infrastructure in the natural gas sector, enabling it to diversify sources of gas reception from more than one route and more than one partner, without exposure to any pressures or restrictions, providing it with wide maneuvering space and flexibility in managing this file. This infrastructure includes liquefaction plants, transportation networks, storage, and trading capacities, which consolidate the state's ability to make economic decisions according to its purely national interests.

In this context, Rashwan warned against being swayed by any hostile propaganda or media campaigns seeking to politicize a commercial agreement, affirming that the timing of the announcement does not change the fact that the agreement is the result of commercial negotiations conducted some time ago according to market rules.

He firmly confirmed that Egypt's position on the Palestinian issue is fixed and will not change, based on supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, rejecting forced displacement, and adhering to the two-state solution. He stressed that the Egyptian movement and diplomacy played a decisive role in thwarting displacement plans and proposing the path for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, as confirmed in the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, reflecting the consistency of Egypt's political and moral stance.