Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has said that the government expects talks with the companies licensed to develop natural gas reserves in block 12 of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), also known as “Aphrodite”, will be completed soon.
At the same time he reiterated the commitment expressed by both Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel el-Sisi to continue talks on energy matters and their wish that they will have a positive outcome soon.
In statements after a meeting between President Anastasiades and delegates from Delek, Christodoulides said that Noble, Delek and Avner have submitted their development plan since last June and that talks are at a final stage on how to exploit natural gas from block 12 in the future.
The Ministry submits the Republic`s comments on the plan on Friday afternoon.
“A dialogue is expected to start which we hope will soon have a positive outcome,” he noted.
At the same time the Government Spokesman referred to a long telephone conversation President Anastasiades and President al Sisi had on Thursday during which energy matters were discussed.
He said the two men spoke of the recent findings of ENI within Egypt`s EEZ. “A comprehensive discussion on energy matters took place and on how developments in the region enhance the Eastern Mediterranean on energy matters.”
At the same time, he added, “the commitment of both sides to continue consultations was expressed.”
Christodoulides also said that both Presidents expressed the wish that soon these negotiations will be completed.
He further noted that there was a comprehensive discussion on matters of common interest, with a particular reference to terrorism and the recent problems Europe is faced with, highlighting the role Egypt could play dealing with the causes which lead to such phenomena.
They also spoke of the forthcoming visit of European Council President Donald Tusk to Cyprus and President Anastasiades` initiative to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas separately to the European Council.
Such initiative highlights the role the Republic of Cyprus can play in the region as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East, Christodoulides pointed out.
Referring to the credentials presented earlier on Friday by the new Ambassadors of Israel and Egypt to Nicosia, he said that they spoke of the relations between Cyprus and the two countries respectively and conveyed both countries` strong wish to further enhance relations with Cyprus on all levels.
