Cyprus defence minister to discuss natural gas security with Israel

The upgrading and expansion of defence cooperation between Cyprus and Israel aims at safeguarding peace and stability in the region, always in accordance to international law, Defence Minister Demetris Eliades said on Saturday prior to an official visit to Israel on Sunday to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
The Cypriot official noted that he will have talks with his Israeli counterpart on issues of mutual interest and added that the two sides will also sign a series of agreements, namely a defence cooperation agreement and an agreement on the protection and exchange of classified information.
Eliades said that he will meet with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The most critical issue for Cyprus at present is how to defend its offshore natural gas exploration platforms and potential undersea pipelines from neighbouring Israel, at a time when Turkey has threatened to use force to explore for gas or crude oil south of the divided island.
Houston-based Noble Energy is currently exploring for natural gas some 100 nautical miles south east of Cyprus and adjacent to another discovery within Israel’s giant Leviathan and Tamar basins.
Cyprus is expected to proceed with a second licensing round of its remaining 12 offshore blocks, encouraging oil exploration companies from Russia, France, the U.S., Israel and other Middle East states from taking part in order to fend off any threats from Turkey.