Ukrainian crisis encourages investment in energy infrastructure in Cyprus
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The
Cypriot Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis referred to the
exploration of gas fields in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
in the wider south-east Mediterranean to strengthen the energy security
of the EU.
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FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Saturday, 17 May, 2014
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The
risk of investing in energy infrastructure in Cyprus seems to have been
reduced as the crisis in the Ukraine unfolds, with the EU looking
towards solutions that may cost more, but which will ensure its energy
security, an EU informal meeting in Athens has heard.
The
prospects of the Cypriot natural gas and the role of Cyprus in the
region seem to be important, after discussions at the Informal Council
of EU Energy Ministers.
The Cypriot Minister of Energy Yiorgos
Lakkotrypis referred to the exploration of gas fields in Cyprus`
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the wider south-east Mediterranean
to strengthen the energy security of the EU.
"The construction of
onshore gas liquefaction plant in Cyprus and the emergence of Cyprus as
an energy hub is at the top of our energy priorities," said the
Minister.
Lakkotrypis supported the immediate implementation of
projects that will help to reduce energy isolation of the Member States
and enhance EU energy security. He noted that the possibility of
additional funding for these specific projects should be examined more
extensively as they contribute to the achievement of EU priorities.
Based
on the discussion of the Ministers, the European Commission will draft a
strategy for the security of energy supply, which will consist of an
in-depth analysis of the situation and a study to reduce EU energy
dependency.
These studies will be discussed at the Council of Energy Ministers in mid-June and the European Council that will follow.
At
the same time an industry source involved in negotiations with Russia
has told Reuters that the geopolitical instability underlines the need
for an all-European solution to bring gas from Israel and Cyprus to
western Europe.
"That would create a win-win situation that would also improve the prospects for a peace settlement in Cyprus," said the source
According
to Reuters, analysts say that the crisis over Ukraine has transformed
the assessment of risk on investing in energy infrastructure in Cyprus.
"The
energy security scenario is completely changed and none can exclude
that more expensive investments will be done in the light of energy
security, more than on return of investments," said Pasquale De Micco, a
national expert from the European Parliament`s policy department.
On
the sidelines of the Council, Lakkotrypis met with EU Energy
Commissioner Gunther Oettinger and the Executive Director of the
International Energy Agency (IEA) Maria van Der Hoeven.
Lakkotrypis
also held a private meeting with his Greek counterpart and President of
the EU Energy Council Yannis Maniatis. The two Ministers reaffirmed
their close ties and good cooperation between the two countries in the
energy sector.
Lakkotrypis briefed the Greek Minister on recent
developments in hydrocarbon exploration in the EEZ of Cyprus and
government plans for the creation of the onshore gas liquefaction plant
in Cyprus.
Maniatis briefed the Cypriot Minister on developments to promote the EastMed gas pipeline between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
— (KYPE)
Link to source:
http://famagusta-gazette.com/ukrainian-crisis-encourages-investment-in-energy-infrastructure-in-cyprus-p23591-69.htm
