Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Cyprus keen to join: ‘Multiple routes’ key for IMEC amid Hormuz crisis, says French envoy
Egypt, Lebanon, Oman and Cyprus are interested in joining IMEC, French envoy Gérard Mestrallet said. An IMEC ministerial meeting could be held by year-end to consider expanding the corridor, as Gaza, Iran and Hormuz disruptions have increased the need for resilient trade routes.
Gérard Mestrallet, the French envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), spoke about the importance of multiple routes for the corridor during a meeting in New Delhi. Mestrallet, who is in India from October 5-7 to promote IMEC and France-India cooperation, highlighted that disruptions and risks in existing trade links have made it crucial to develop alternative connectivity options.
He mentioned that Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, and Cyprus are among the countries interested in joining or working with IMEC, along with Greece and Cyprus as potential full members. Any expansion of the corridor would require a decision from the eight existing signatories, who are heads of state. Mestrallet also emphasized the need for resilience in the corridor, given the geopolitical crises affecting trade routes, such as those in the Middle East, including disruptions in the Hormuz Strait.
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