The European Union signed an agreement in Cairo with Israel and Egypt on the supply of liquefied natural gas to Europe. Israel will export gas through Egypt, which has the necessary capacity to liquefy and export it. It is reported by the Associated Press.

The European Union, for its part, will help Israel and Egypt increase gas production and explore new gas fields in their territorial waters.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the agreement would allow for stable gas supplies from the Eastern Mediterranean. According to her, the new agreements on gas supplies will help get rid of energy dependence on Russia. Russian gas, according to the latest data, accounted for about 40% of all EU gas imports.

The European Union condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine and imposed unprecedented sanctions. The sixth package of restrictions included a ban on oil imports by sea.

In the territorial waters of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea, there are two active gas fields, the capacity of which is estimated by experts at 690 billion cubic meters of gas; another deposit is under development.