Prime Minister of Egypt Hazem El-Bablawi, assured that his country supports a position of principle for a solution to the Cyprus issue based on UN resolutions.
The statement was made during a press conference the Egyptian Prime Minister held with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades who completed his two-day official visit to Egypt and returned home Thursday afternoon.
According to an official statement, the two held a private meeting which was followed by talks with the participation of delegations from both sides where bilateral agreements were signed in the President of Anastasiades and El-Beblawi.
Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides signed the Revised Aviation Agreement between Egypt and Cyprus while Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister George Lakkotrypis signed an agreement for the Development of Cross-Median Line Hydrocarbon Resources.
A cooperation agreement was also signed between by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics Director Dr. Philippos Patsalis and the Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt. According to President Anastasiades, Cyprus will grant the biggest possible scientific support in diagnosing and treating children’s cancer.
Speaking during a press conference that followed, President Anastasiades said the agreements strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He added that these relations are further reinforced by the position of principle that Egypt maintains on Cyprus and Cyprus’ pledge, as a member of the EU, to stand by Egypt and support what the Egyptian people are pursuing through the revolution, i.e., the restoration of democracy.
“Cyprus considers Egypt an “excellent partner and friend in the region and we are pursuing closer relations”, the President added.
He also said Cyprus has repeatedly expressed its support to the struggle of the Egyptian people for a democratic, prosperous Egypt. “The present and future of the country depends solely on the sovereign Egyptian people”, he added.
President Anastasiades said Cyprus is satisfied with the consistency of the implementation of the road map that is leading to the restoration of democracy in Egypt.
Referring to the agreements signed, President Anastasiades said they constitute a proof of the great interest of the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt to strengthen even further their relations and help maintain peace in the region.
The discovery of hydrocarbons in the region, he went on to add, will allow us to have a closer cooperation to achieve peace in the region and development through investments.
He referred to the tripartite effort between Cyprus, Egypt and Greece and added “we support the 12 November conclusions and look forward to the closest possible cooperation to respond to the expectations of our peoples”.
Anastasiades said that with the President of Egypt, the PM and members of the cabinet, they have ascertained a wide range of common interests that through the procedures agreed upon, “will help us achieve the soonest the best possible cooperation in the field of tourism, education, search and rescue and other issues that are greatly significant for the interests of both countries.
On his part, El-Beblawi, speaking through an interpreter, described the visit as “important for both countries, and one that further boosts relations.
He said the agreements signed are not only important for both countries but for cooperation with countries in the region. They also examined a wide range of issues such as the economic cooperation and bilateral cooperation in other fields, he added. El-Beblawi underlined the “very positive stance Cyprus maintains within the EU, always supporting the Egyptian positions and we are sure this will continue”.
Asked how Cyprus, as a member of the EU, help Egypt, the Prime Minister said that his country has signed some agreements with the EU and hopes that Egypt will soon receive help from the EU through programmes.
President Anastasiades said that Cyprus is working towards this and will help so that Egypt will benefit through EU programmes for education, training, research and technology.
Invited to comment on Turkey’s threats and violations of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone, El-Beblawi said “we believe that the solution lies through cooperation and dialogue which is always the best way to resolve issues between countries. Everyone should respect international legality”, he added.
Regarding Cyprus, he said “I want to assure of the principled stance of Egypt that we support a solution of the Cyprus issue through UN resolutions.
On the agreement about the hydrocarbons, President Anastasiades said it is not new. “It is an agreement that is made with states that have blocks that border with the Exclusive Economic Zone. Instead of neighbouring countries being in a conflict, these agreements provide room for making use of the wealth that God gave them”.
Earlier, President Anastasiades and his entourage attended a lunch hosted by President Adly Mansour.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.
Preliminary results of a Noble Energy appraisal well for natural gas in Block 12 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone estimate the hydrocarbon reserves between 3.6tcf and 6tcf with a gross mean resource of 5tcf.
Noble Energy operates Block 12 with a 70 percent working interest. Delek Drilling Limited Partnership and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership each own 15 percent. Last June Cyprus government, Delek and Avner signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in the Cyprus.
