ENI discusses exploitation scenarios and priority solutions - KATHIMERINI

30 APRIL 2024 - 19:38

ENI's discoveries in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the scenarios for the exploitation of the confirmed drillings as well as the preferred solutions to efficiently meet domestic energy priorities were discussed in a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and ENI's CEO Claudio Descalzi held Tuesday in the presence of the Ministers of Energy and Foreign Affairs at the Presidential Palace.

According to a joint written statement by the Republic of Cyprus and Eni, President Christodoulides and Descalzi met today to discuss "Eni's activities and future projects in the country".

In particular, President Christodoulides and ENI's CEO reviewed the discoveries made in 2022 by Eni and its partner TotalEnergies of Cronos and Zeus which led to the drilling of Cronos 2 appraisal well in late 2023.

President talks gas with ExxonMobil - CYPRUS MAIL

September 25, 2021

President Nicos Anastasiades and ExxonMobil discussed the company’s drilling plans in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) block 10, during a meeting in New York, a presidency statement said Saturday.

The ExxonMobil delegation was headed by Senior Vice President Mike Cousins.

Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides and Energy Minister Natasa Pilidou also took part.

The two sides discussed issues related to the company’s plans in block 10 and developments in the eastern Mediterranean as well as further actions on the part of the government of Cyprus regarding the unhindered implementation of its energy designs in Cyprus’ EEZ.

Cyprus: Lakkotrypis and Fannon welcome the launch of 3+1 Technical Committee works - IBNA

05/FEB/2020Spiros Sideris

The Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Lakotroupis alongside the US Deputy Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis R. Fannon welcomed the launch of the works of the first 3+1 Technical Committee (Cyprus, Greece Israel and the US) today, Wednesday February 5 2020 in Nicosia, to address the issue of “Emergency Preparedness and Response to Emergencies Related to Offshore Oil and Gas Activities”.

Speaking to the press, George Lakotroupis explained that the establishment of the Technical Committee had been agreed at the 3+1 Ministerial Meeting in Athens last August. “As I emphasized in my greeting statements, the cooperation of the three countries, plus the United States, is very important. Mind that it began in March 2019, at the 3+1 meeting at Jerusalem at the level of leaders between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, in the presence of the US Secretary of State; and it is precisely the model of cooperation everyone in the region must adopt, in order to be able to promote the common interests of our people”.

Italy, Cyprus Say Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal 'Unacceptable' - THE NEW YORK TIMES / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jan. 29, 2020

ROME — A maritime border agreement between Turkey and Libya's U.N.-backed government is “unacceptable," violates international law and flouts the sovereign rights of other countries, the foreign ministers of Italy and Cyprus said Wednesday..

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides said in a joint statement after talks in Rome that the deal cannot have any legal impact on other countries.

Turkey says the deal grants its economic rights to a large swath of the east Mediterranean sea and prevents any energy-related projects from moving forward without Ankara's consent.

One such project that Israel, Cyprus and Greece had agreed on earlier this month is an envisioned undersea pipeline (TEKMOR Note: East Med Pipeline) ferrying natural gas discovered in the east Mediterranean to European markets.

Egypt Says Offshore Gas Discoveries Bolster Ties with Cyprus - THE NATIONAL HERALD / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sameh Shoukry (L) and Nikos Christodoulides meet in Nicosia on July 31

August 1, 2019

NICOSIA (AP) — Egypt’s foreign minister says hydrocarbon finds in the eastern Mediterranean have bolstered an already “strong partnership” with neighboring Cyprus.

Minister Sameh Shoukry said after talks Wednesday with Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides that Egypt looks forward to working with Cyprus in fully utilizing energy reserves.

Egypt’s top diplomat said he’s hopeful the establishment of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum will help open new avenues of cooperation and policy coordination between the two countries.

Shoukry said a trilateral partnership between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece serves as an “important catalyst” for regional prosperity and stability. He said Egypt will host the seventh summit of the three nations’ leaders later this year.

Christodoulides said European Union member Cyprus would continue to advocate for stronger EU-Egypt ties in order to more effectively address regional challenges.

Total and ENI set to expand their presence in Cyprus’ EEZ, according to government sources - IN CYPRUS / CNA

May 10, 2019 at 3:23pm
Edited by Bouli Hadjioannou

Energy giants Total and ENI are set to expand their presence in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus, and according to government sources they are expected to cooperate in hydrocarbon activities in offshore block 7.

With official announcements on the matter still pending, the same sources told CNA that the French and Italian energy companies may also cooperate in other blocks, in Cyprus’ EEZ. Discussions are being held on multiple levels, with talks between experts still underway, the same sources said.

Last November, the Ministry of Energy announced that it received a single application from joint venture Total E&P Cyprus B.V. / Eni Cyprus Limited, for a licence to carry out explorations for hydrocarbons in block 7 of Cyprus’ EEZ.

Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said on Thursday that developments should be expected in the next few days, concerning the energy programme of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus sends UN its EEZ coordinates over Turkey drilling - KATHIMERINI

06.MAY.2019 : 13:25

Cypriot authorities have submitted to the United Nations the coordinates delineating the boundaries of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf in the wake of Turkey's decision to start drilling within Cyprus' EEZ.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said on Saturday that President Nicos Anastasiades will be convening the National Council to discuss the latest Turkish actions off Cyprus.

The coordinates would also be published in the government gazette, he said.

Christodoulides added that Nicosia is in contact with European Union member states concerning Turkey’s illegal actions and discussions are under way about preparing countermeasures.

Meanwhile Cypriot authorities have launched procedures to have an international arrest warrant issued for the crew of Turkey's Fatih drillship off Cyprus.

Foreign Minister says Cyprus monitoring Turkish vessel in cooperation with other states - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

06/MAY/2019 13:16 CYPRUS/Nicosia 

Athena Arsalidou

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that the Republic of Cyprus is monitoring the moves of Turkish vessel “Fatih” (Conqueror) in cooperation with other states, and announced that President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will be convening the National Council on Saturday.

Christodoulides also said that he informed the Council of Ministers that on May 4 the geographical coordinates of the exclusive economic zone and the shelf, on the basis of the mean line between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, were submitted to the UN Secretary General.

He added that on Monday a meeting will be taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a follow up of the meetings in the presence of the Attorney General, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, and the Deputy Minister for Shipping.

Signs of progress on maritime border between Lebanon and Israel - THE NATIONAL

Nabih Berri supportS larger UN role in the border dispute. AP

April 25, 2019 01:34 PM

Sunniva Rose and Joyce Karam

The US has been actively mediating, and ideas for United Nations supervision role are under consideration

Lebanon says it is ready to demarcate its maritime border with Israel, following US mediation efforts and attempts backed by Cyprus and Greece to broker a deal under United Nations (UN) supervision governing both land and sea borders.

“Lebanon is ready to delineate the maritime borders and the special economic zone through the mechanism adopted for the demarcation of the blue line under the supervision of the United Nations”, Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday.

Mr Berri was speaking during a meeting with Major General Stefano Del Col, head of mission and force commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Gen Del Col agreed that a UN role in the talks could strengthen maritime security and stability. In the absence of a demarcation, UNIFIL has historically used an unofficial land border, known as a blue line, between Lebanon and Israel land border to maintain peace. Both sides have agreed to the blue line.

Cyprus mulls ratification of Lebanon EEZ delineation agreement - KNEWS / KATHIMERINI

11 APRIL 2019 - 10:49

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Energy Nikos Christodoulides and Giorgos Lakkotrypis are in Beirut for meetings with their Lebanese counterparts as Cyprus seeks to strengthen cooperation with Lebanon in the field of energy and energy security.

Christodoulides said that one of the issues that is high on the agenda is the outstanding issue of ratifying the agreement on the delineation of the limits of the exclusive economic zones between Cyprus and Lebanon.

To this end, he added, he will have a meeting with the President of the Lebanese Parliament.

Christodoulides expressed the hope that tomorrow, there will be a preliminary agreement to start talks on a cooperation framework with Lebanon, similar to the one agreed with Egypt.

Referring to the tripartite ministerial meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Lebanon, he described it as historic.

FM outlines Cyprus’ vision to establish a regional security and cooperation organisation - IN-CYPRUS PHILELEFTHEROS

March 25, 2019 at 8:45am
Edited by Andreas Nicolaides

Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, outlined Cyprus’ vision to establish an organization of security and cooperation in the region, speaking on Sunday in Washington, during a discussion held in the framework of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference.

He said that Cyprus’ vision is to create a regional security and cooperation organisation, with the participation of all like-minded countries, in the framework of which all regional matters of cooperation will be discussed.

Secretary General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro and AIPAC’s International Affairs Director Stephen Schneider coordinated the discussion.

Replying to a question the Cypriot Foreign Minister set out the framework of relations between Cyprus and Israel, as a threefold one.

On the bilateral level, he noted the close cooperation between the two countries, which extends beyond the energy sector to matters of security, technology and health. He added that contact between their peoples is also enhanced.

Joint Statement USA Greece Israel Cyprus - TWITTER CYPRUS FM

US secretary of state to attend Cyprus trilateral meeting - CYPRUS MAIL

MARCH 2, 2019

GEORGE PSYLLIDES

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be taking part in the next trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday.

“US interest in taking part in the trilateral summit between Cyprus, Greece and Israel was conveyed to us some time ago and we were in constant contact to set a specific date,” Christodoulides told the Cyprus News Agency.

“It so happens that the meeting in question with the USA represented at foreign minister level can take place on March 20 in Israel.”

One of the main issues to be discussed is energy security, the minister added.

The meeting comes in the wake of ExxonMobil’s discovery of between 5-8 trillion cubic feet in an offshore field inside the island’s exclusive economic zone.

Cyprus: US to lift Cyprus arms embargo in security boost - THE REPUBLIC / AP

JAN/18/19 3:26 PM
Menelaos Hadjicostis

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The U.S. will soon start lifting a decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus because Washington acknowledges the Mediterranean island nation’s contribution to bolstering regional stability and security, the Cypriot foreign minister said Friday.

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said that Washington sees the “added value” of allowing Cyprus to acquire military equipment that would help enhance its capabilities to boost regional security.

The embargo was imposed in 1987 with the aim of preventing an arms buildup that would hamper diplomatic efforts to reunify divided Cyprus. The island was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup aimed at union with Greece.

Christodoulides said the process to lift the embargo has been set in motion in the U.S. Congress, reflecting a “positive shift” in that Washington no longer views Cyprus solely as an unsettled conflict of ethnic division.

“This is proof, if you like, of the recognition by the U.S. administration of the positive role that Cyprus plays as a pillar of stability and security in the broader region,” Christodoulides told The Associated Press.

Cyprus protests to UN over Turkish provocations in its EEZ - FINANCIAL MIRROR

03 January, 2019

Cyprus has lodged a protest against Turkey’s “provocative actions” within its Exclusive Economic Zone to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

In a letter circulated as an official document of the UN General Assembly, Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN Kornelios Korneliou focused on the illegal activities of Turkish research vessel Barbaros.

“On 18 October 2018, the Turkish State-owned survey vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa and supporting vessels, accompanied and supported by Turkish warships, commenced seismic surveys in the southwest areas of the continental shelf/EEZ of Cyprus, including within parts of hydrocarbon exploration blocks 4 and 5,” Korneliou said.

“The area has purportedly been reserved for seismic surveys by Turkey, via an unauthorized navigational warning dated 16 October, for the period from 18 October 2018 to 1 February 2019,” he noted.

The Cypriot diplomat said this “constitutes a violation by Turkey of the sovereign rights of Cyprus under international law and, in particular, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the relevant provisions of which have long been crystallized into customary international law.”

Cyprus, Greece, Israel to set up multi-party military force for energy security - XINHUA

2018-12-22 04:16:18

NICOSIA, Cyprus, Greece and Israel have decided to set up a multi-party military force to provide security for natural gas infrastructure, Cyprus' state television reported on Friday.

It said that the multi-party force decision was among unreported issues discussed at a summit of the three countries in Israel on Thursday.

Quoting unnamed diplomatic sources at the Beer Sheba summit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Cyprus's state television said parties involved in natural gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean will be invited to participate with military units in the force.

Among countries expected to be invited to join the force is the United States as two U.S.-based companies, ExxonMobil and Noble Energy, are involved in natural gas exploration.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman participated for the first time in the tripartite summit of Israel, Cyprus and Greece, expressing his country's support both for the regional cooperation groupings and the EastMed project.

Turkish airspace violations in Aegean seen as response to Mitchell comments - KATHIMERINI

TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2018, 11:56

VASSILIS NEDOS

Turkish fighter jets embarked on a barrage of airspace violations in the Aegean on Monday, in what was seen by Athens as a response to remarks on Friday by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell, who hailed Greece as a “fantastic ally” in the region and backed Cyprus’s gas exploration rights.

Specifically, 15 armed Turkish fighter jets conducted 107 violations in the northeast, southeast and central Aegean, as well as two overflights over the islets of Anthropofagos and Makronisi in the eastern Aegean early Monday afternoon.

They also engaged in four mock dogfights with Greek jets, according to the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA).

Military officials said the extent of the violations are comparable to those Ankara conducted in January 2017 when Defense Minister Panos Kammenos threw wreaths from a helicopter into the sea near the islet of Imia in the eastern Aegean to commemorate the death of three Greek servicemen who died in a helicopter crash at the height of a crisis between the two countries in 1996.

Hungary looks at Cyprus gas to diversity energy supply - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peter Szijjarto / Nicos Christodoulides (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

December 14, 2018

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Hungary’s foreign minister says Cyprus’ offshore gas deposits could become an alternative energy source for his country, which is seeking to diversify its natural gas supply beyond Russia in order to bolster its energy security.

Peter Szijjarto says Hungary “constantly seeks alternative solutions” and that his country considers as “realistic” the supply of gas from Cyprus’ Aphrodite offshore deposit.

He said an agreement signed with his Cypriot counterpart Friday will ready the groundwork for Cypriot gas “over the medium term to play a role” in the energy supply of central Europe.

Szijjarto also said that Hungary is willing to share its advanced technological know-know with Cyprus in order to help the east Mediterranean island nation with its water shortage problems.

Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs, US ambassador and ExxonMobil VP visit Stena Icemax - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

.NICOSIA 29/11/2018 17:56
Gregoris Savva

Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs, Georgios Lakkotrypis and Nicos Christodoulides, Kathleen Doherty, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, and ExxonMobil’s Vice President Tristan Aspray visited earlier today the drillship that carries out an exploratory drilling at the Deflini target in block 10 of Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone on behalf of the ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum.

The exploratory deep-water drilling began on November 16 and is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

Sources told CNA that during their visit to Stena Icemax, the two Ministers accompanied by Doherty, Aspray and other officials toured the drill ship's various installations and talked to the captain and crew as well as to the technical crew associated with the drilling.

Turkish claims in East Med unveiled in maps - KATHIMERINI

18 NOVEMBER 2018 : 21:16

Angelos Syrigos, Vassilis Nedos

With drilling under way in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone, Kathimerini has seen seven maps outlining Turkey’s claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, revealing its intentions in the region.

The maps, which have been cited in recent weeks by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, suggest that any others in the region considering the demarcation of maritime regions would have to consult with Turkey first.

However, the delineations on the maps only take into consideration Turkey and the mainlands of other countries facing its shores – ignoring the islands in between, such Rhodes, Karpathos and Crete, not to mention Cyprus.

The maps were created between 2010 and 2012, before Cyprus’s demarcation agreements with Egypt in 2003, Lebanon in 2007 and Israel in 2010.

These deals allowed Cyprus to delimit its exclusive economic zone in its southern and southeastern seas. Subsequently, it divided most of its maritime areas into 13 parts and proceeded with international tenders for their exploration and exploitation.