French energy giant TOTAL will soon begin operating in block 6 of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone, it was announced on Sunday evening after a meeting President Nicos Anastasiades had with the company`s Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne and Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa division Elias Kassis.
Present at the meeting was Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides, who is accompanying President Anastasiades, on his working visit to France. On Monday Anastasiades will meet with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
According to a press release issued by the Presidency, in statements after the meeting, Christodoulides said that “it was a very constructive meeting during which the activities of the company in Cyprus were discussed, as a result of a recent drilling and future company plans in cooperation with the Italian ENI.”
He said that the head of the company noted, during the meeting, that they will proceed with their plans in block 6, pointing out that this is a positive development.
It is positive that the company sees that prospects exist, and this is a clear vote of confidence in the Cypriot EEZ, the Spokesman added.
Christodoulides also said that, following the discussion with TOTAL it seems that the issue of energy will be among the main topics to be discussed during Anastasiades` meeting with President Macron on Monday.
On his part, Pouyanne said that this is his second meeting with Anastasiades, adding that they discussed the cooperation of the company with Cyprus, and the drilling they carried out during the summer.
He said TOTAL will soon begin operations in block 6 and expressed the wish to make good discoveries in the near future to the benefit of Cyprus.