Minister of Defense Photis Photiou has said that the Republic of Cyprus will continue implementing its strategy in the energy sector, despite Turkey`s provocations, adding that “we will not relinquish sovereignty rights and this must be made clear”.
Asked whether Turkey has launched threats against the Republic of Cyprus following Friday`s official announcement regarding cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector between Cyprus and EMI – KOGAS, he said that Turkey continues to launch threats, as this is one of Ankara`s tactics.
The Minister wondered how the Cyprus talks could resume, when Turkey continues to question Cyprus` sovereignty by launching threats.
“We will continue implementing all our plans regarding our natural wealth and our energy strategy and we will not stop because of the Turkish provocations”, he assured.
Cyprus Energy Ministry expects during the next days a response from the ENI-KOGAS consortium regarding the launch of negotiations for Exclusive Economic Zone blocks 5 and 6, following a letter sent by the Ministry Thursday. The Ministry’s deadline ends on December 2.
Cyprus is currently developing natural resources discovered within the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone, while several international companies are involved in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities. The government has so far signed several contracts with the ENI/KOGAS consortium for hydrocarbons exploration in blocks 2, 3 and 9 and with French TOTAL for blocks 10 and 11. Earlier, in 2008, Cyprus signed its first hydrocarbon exploration contract with US Noble Energy for offshore block 12.
Since Cyprus began its exploration for hydrocarbon reserves Turkey launches threats against Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
Repeated rounds of talks, under UN auspices, have yielded no concrete result.
Ahead of a new round of UN-sponsored peace talks, aiming to reunite the country under a federal roof, the Greek Cypriot side says a common declaration outlining the basic principles for a Cyprus solution was imperative
