CYPRUS: Nicosia seeks to fully implement its energy plans without causing regional tensions

Cyprus will follow the right steps, without promoting disputes, to fully implement its energy plans, Defence Minister Savvas Angelides told the Cyprus News Agency.

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The Minister spoke about Cyprus’ regional cooperation with Egypt, Israel and Greece, as well as France, underlining France’s special focus for peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He said through building bilateral and trilateral partnerships in the defence sector, Cyprus has been established as a pillar of security and stability in the region.

"Bilateral and tripartite partnerships with Egypt and with Israel are at a very good level. We have good results, we do not stop here, but we continue to further upgrade these relations.”

Angelides noted that the Republic of Cyprus aims to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the energy planning which Turkey is opposed to.

Angelides said Cyprus will take all the necessary actions to protect international energy companies from exploiting the island’s exclusive economic zone.

He said such actions have already proved to bring results with ExxonMobil due to start drilling soon.

Cyprus and Israel are conducting joint military exercises which are linked to energy security and preparedness for any potential threat.

“Our aim is to become a pillar of stability in the region, that is why, in the context of defence diplomacy, we are pursuing cooperation with neighbouring countries aimed at security, stability and development in the region,” Angelides said.

He said cooperation with France was connected to Total’s energy search in Cyprus’ EEZ.