Government to serve Cyprus' vital interests as regards natural gas

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has assured that the government would do whatever possible to serve the vital interests of the Republic of Cyprus as regards the exploitation of natural gas reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Invited Wednesday to say how the government is proceeding with the this project, he said that the government would examine and weigh all facts with a view to serve the vital interests of the Republic of Cyprus.

“The government of Cyprus will do whatever possible to serve the vital interests of the Republic of Cyprus”, he stressed, noting that issues concerning Cyprus’ natural gas reserves need to be handled with confidentiality.

Representatives of the US company Noble Energy, which received an exploratory license for Block 12 in October 2008, which is located in Cyprus's EEZ, are currently in Cyprus holding contacts.

They have been received by President Demetris Christofias. In statements after the meeting, Vice President of international operations at Noble Terry Gerhart, said they hope to be able to start the well as early as the fourth quarter of 2011.

Cyprus’ Block 12 borders Leviathan, in Israel's EEZ, and may be part of the same geologic structure in the Levant Basin.