The Lebanese Parliament can ratify the agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon for the exclusive economic zone which includes Cyprus, within a fortnight from the moment that the difference between Lebanon and Israel, concerning 850 square km, is settled.
Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berri discussed the issue of natural gas, oil and energy in general on Wednesday in Nicosia, with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou, Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Praxoula Antoniadou.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Berri, Omirou said that the two countries were developing a creative cooperation in the sector of energy, to the benefit of their peoples and also peace, cooperation and stability and the region, and referred to the close cooperation and solidarity of Cyprus and Lebanon.
Berri said his visit to Cyprus had a threefold aim. The first was to find out how the European Cyprus could be a bridge to the Arab world via Lebanon and vice versa, the second was to discuss the issue of water reserves under the seabed, which the two countries could exploit, and the third was the issue of natural gas and energy.
He pointed out that the problem was not between Cyprus and Lebanon but between Lebanon and Israel, with Tel Aviv trying to exploit the sensitivities in the area and relations with Turkey, in order to benefit from an area of 850 square km.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, Berri said Lebanon supports the unity of Cyprus and expressed support to the continuation of talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus for the reunification of the island, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.