Cyprus ForMin to discuss gas deal in Israel

* Noble to start drilling “as planned” in October

Foreign Minsiter Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis will be visiting Israel on Wednesday, where she is expected to discuss the latest political and security developments surrounding the oil and gas exploration plans within Cyprus territorial waters and near Israel’s economic development zone.
According to an official announcement, Marcoullis will be received by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres in her first visit to the country as Foreign Minister.
During her visit, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis will hold talks with her Israeli counterpart Avigdor Liberman on bilateral as well as regional and international issues such as energy and the recent developments in the wider region. She will return home on Thursday.

NOBLE PLANS UNCHANGED

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Praxoula Antoniadou met with Noble Energy’s managers in Cyprus, John Tomich and James Cronkite on Thursday, after which she declared that the company will proceed with exploratory drilling in early October as planned, despite threats from Turkey.
Asked is the issue of the Turkish threats had been discussed, the Minister said: “If Turkey is really looking forward to a future where the neighbouring countries will have peaceful relations and be able to collaborate for the common good, and if it is really interested in promoting its EU accession course the best thing it can do is to contribute to and allow the ongoing efforts for achieving an agreement for Cyprus’ reunification. In this way we could all move forward in conditions of peaceful cooperation within the framework of our wider European family.
“However, with regard to the particular issue of Cyprus’ natural wealth, it is indisputable that the Republic of Cyprus has every right to proceed and take every step needed for exploiting any natural wealth it possesses”.