BEIRUT-Egypt is interested in bolstering energy and oil co-operation with Arab countries, Minister Sameh Fahmi said in Beirut on Saturday after talks with his Lebanese counterpart Jebran Bassil. Fahmi, whoheld talks with Bassil on the sidelines of the Higher Egyptian Lebanese Commission meetings, told reporters that Egypt had designed plans for ensuring its future energy security, which is a corner stone for national development. "Egypt is keen on seeking energy cooperation with Lebanon based on mutual benefit for both sides through implementing joint investment and development projects in oil and natural gas exploration off theLebanese coast," Fahmi said. He added that oil and natural gas have been an important agenda item in Egypt's development plans, which have been achieved through the launching multi-billion dollar projects to build several oil prospecting and refinery facilities nation wide with financial and technical support from local and foreign companies. He said that Lebanon could make use of the Egyptian expertise in these fields to ensure mutual benefit for both countries. Fahmi said that the two countries could start their co-operation now that Egypt started exporting liquefied and compressed natural gas to Lebanon last September.
