Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-03-04

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin on foreign investments

[02] State oil company to be established soon, Ìinister says

[03] Foreign Minister on working visit to Norway

[01] FinMin on foreign investments

In statements to the press, Kazamias said he is optimistic especially after the talks he had with foreign investors during the last days, adding that in the following days the government or the investors themselves will make announcements with tegard to the outcome of these talks.

Replying to a question, he said that the interest expressed by foreign investors during the last three months is mainly due to the prospects from the natural gas discovery as well as the second licensing round.

He said that apart from the economic interest, there might be a political interest and therefore Cyprus is presented with a huge challenge. He noted Cyprus’ strategic location, saying that Cyprus is the furthest eastern border of the European Union, with a close proximity to the Arab countries and Israel.

Kazamias also called on everyone to show a responsible stance.

Recently, Nicosia announced in the Official Journal of the EU a call for an international tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation within the Republic’s Economic Exclusive Zone, signaling the initiation of a second round of licensing.

[02] State oil company to be established soon, Ìinister says

In statements to the press on Sunday Sylikiotis also said that a number of companies have already expressed interest, in the framework of the second hydrocarbons licensing round, amongst them CNOOC Limited, the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Interior Minister said that this week, government officials will attend the London Oil Forum and will make presentations for the second licensing round, adding that there is a significant interest following Noble’s drilling results last December.

He said that the government has a strategy as regards the developing and managing of hydrocarbons in Cyprus and that soon a state oil company will be established.

[03] Foreign Minister on working visit to Norway

According to an official press release, Markoullis who is visiting Norway at the invitation of her Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stïre, will attend a working luncheon hosted by Store during which they will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Furthermore she will brief her counterpart on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem as well as the priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency during the second half of 2012.

In the framework of her visit, FM will also have meetings with the State Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy Per Rune Henriksen and the First Vice Chairman at the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) Svein Roald Hansen. She will also meet with PRIO Institute Director Kristian B. Harpviken.

Markoullis is going to give a lecture at PRIO on ``Cyprus: A common country – a common future for all Cypriots``. She will also give interviews to Norwegian media. She will be returning to Cyprus on Tuesday morning.

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