Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-03-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] President: Turkey displays harsh stance on Cyprus

[02] US recognizes Cyprus` right to drill, American envoy says

[03] Cyprus to provide uninterrupted energy supply to the EU

[04] UAE President backs stronger relations with Cyprus

[01] President: Turkey displays harsh stance on Cyprus

The President noted that the Turkish Cypriots are allies in the struggle for reunification and they also strongly oppose Ankara's plans for colonization of the island's northern Turkish occupied areas, seeking to preserve their Cypriot identity.

He recalled that colonization, the flow of settlers to the Turkish occupied area, has been described by the international community as a war crime.

He said that settlers, who flock to Cyprus from Turkey, are continuously naturalized as Turkish Cypriots, noting that this change of the demographic character in the occupied areas is totally unacceptable.

He said July 1st when Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU constitutes a symbolic day and a day of honor, noting that this also underlines the integrity of the Republic of Cyprus as an EU member state.

The President condemned Turkey's threats to freeze its relations with the EU when Cyprus assumes the EU Presidency, noting that Turkish threats for a plan B are a provocation to the whole of the international community and EU itself. He furthermore said that Turkey's stance has consequences on its European course.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with an aim to reunify the island.

[02] US recognizes Cyprus` right to drill, American envoy says

``As we have also said many times, we believe that any potential revenue from future oil and gas resources in Cyprus should be equitably shared between both communities. And our key message both to the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey reflects on longstanding policy, which is to support the Cypriot-led efforts under UN auspices to reunify the island into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, and encouraging the two sides to come to a peaceful settlement. And that this issue, the issue of resources, if done right, could help us get there. And this would allow all of Cyprus and other countries to share the benefits of the eastern Mediterranean,`` he added.

The American Ambassador said that Israel`s significant offshore natural gas finds, including the ``Tamar`` and ``Leviathan`` fields, are one of the largest offshore gas finds of the past decade. This put Israel onto the hydrocarbon map and initiated significant changes in Israel`s energy economy and investment and energy policies, he stressed.

And this gas will significantly enhance Israel`s energy security and Israel, even as we speak, is presently examining its export potential, including through LNG, he added, pointing out that Greece is also working to identify potential hydrocarbons for exploitation. The Greek government has announced tenders for seismic studies and hydrocarbon exploration onshore in the Ionian Sea and south of the island of Crete, he noted.

[03] Cyprus to provide uninterrupted energy supply to the EU

In a speech at the Investment Energy Summit, entitled ``Greece, Cyprus, Israel: Redesigning the European energy map``, organised by The Economist in Athens, Sylikiotis said that conditions are now such that the coastal area of the Eastern Mediterranean is turning into an area of common borders and interests for all.

In his speech, Sylikiotis referred to energy issues, noting that Cyprus has exercised its sovereign rights according to the Law of the Sea Convention, and made agreements to delimitate its Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt in 2003 and in 2007, with Lebanon in 2010 and with Israel recently.

Referring to developments in Cyprus, since the start of exploratory work in block 12, Sylikiotis said that "undoubtedly the results of the exploratory drilling, as announced last December, confirming the existence of large amounts of natural gas within Cyprus' EEZ, create new prospects and a new dynamic as far as Cyprus' role is concerned in the wider political and energy field in the Eastern Mediterranean". At the same time, he added, "it signals positive prospects and long-term economic development, following the attraction of new investment in the various fields of our economy".

In December 2011 Cyprus President Demetris Christofias announced that the results of the exploratory drilling in Cyprus` block 12 are positive, describing the discovery of hydrocarbons as historic for the island.

[04] UAE President backs stronger relations with Cyprus

According to an official announcement, the ceremony took place last Monday, March 26, at the Al Mushrif Palace, in Abu Dhabi. President Khalifa said in his reply that the UAE support the peaceful resolution of conflicts, taking always into consideration world peace and development.

In the private meeting that followed, the UAE President said he and his government would provide every possible support in the effort to further develop UAE-Cyprus relations. Economou conveyed to President Khalifa the warm greetings of President Christofias and thanked him for his support, adding that he would work with the UAE government in strengthening bilateral ties on all levels.

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