Cyprus to proceed with 2nd licensing round shortly, Antoniadou says

Speaking to the press at the sidelines of the Economist Conference on Sustainable, competitive and secure energy in Europe, Antoniadou said the proposal concerns the preparation of the application forms for the second licensing round.

The Minister refrained from elaborating on the number of blocks of Cyprus' EEZ to be included in the second licensing round, referring to the press release to be issued by the Government.

Along the same line, speaking to the conference, Antoniaou said that the Cypriot government will proceed with the second licensing round for additional blocks in its EEZ, adding that first indications from the exploratory drilling in block 12, which began on 18 September, will be ready by mid December.

''Noble Energy, which is conducting the exploration drilling expects to have some first indications of the possible existence of hydrocarbon reserves by beginning-middle of December,'' Antoniadou said, adding that to the extent that the first indications are positive, an appraisal process will follow to establish the composition and size of the reservoir.

She added that ''the Government is proceeding shortly to the 2nd round of licensing for exploration and production/exploitation with reference to the other sites that have been delineated in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.''

According to Antoniadou, in the meantime, the Government of the Republic is in the process of examining the next steps needed to be taken with reference to the way that reserves will be exploited once they are found. She added that in a bid to enhance and facilitate the Government’s decision making process, a group of experts has been formed that will be advising the President and the Government on issues of long term strategic planning in the area of hydrocarbons.

''To the extent that hydrocarbon reserves are identified in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, then new, wide and bright prospects open for both the current and future generations of Cypriots,'' Antoniadou said. Furthermore, she noted that ''at the same time, Cyprus will be in a position to contribute to the energy security of Europe through the provision of additional sources of energy and through its possible participation in new energy infrastructure linking Europe to sources of energy.''

Referring to the objections of Turkey to Cyprus exploratory drilling in its EEZ, Antoniadou pointed out that the government of Cyprus is proceeding to exploratory drilling on the basis of the respect of the whole international community to its sovereignty rights, as these also arise from the UN convention on the Law of the Sea.

With regard to the benefits that will accrue once hydrocarbons are identified and exploited, Antoniadou reiterated the words of President Christofias in his televised address of 13th September, ''where he emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and as such they can enjoy within the framework of a reunited homeland the benefits of any natural wealth that Cyprus has.''

''It is obvious, President Christofias stated, that the exploitation of any possible natural gas reserves in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus can potentially motivate the attainment of a solution to the Cyprus problem soon, so that all the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, can benefit from any positive development (with reference to the hydrocarbon explorations),'' recalled Antoniadou.

She also recalled that on his way to the United Nations General Assembly, President Christofias reiterated the above and added that Turkey has a lot to benefit from the solution of the Cyprus problem, since the solution will lead to the normalization of relations with Turkey, to cooperation between the two countries and to the conclusion of agreements between the two in various areas, including in the energy sector.

''Turkey, dear participants,'' Antoniadou noted, ''now has a golden opportunity to prove itself to be a true peacemaker in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean, by respecting the sovereignty rights of all EU member states, through both words and actions; and by truly contributing to the success of the peace process with reference to Cyprus through the encouragement of the Turkish Cypriot leadership to work for an agreed solution of the Cyprus problem that will be reunifying Cyprus on the basis of the commonly agreed basis of a bizonal, bicommunal Federation with political equality as this is defined in relevant UN resolutions.''

''A bright horizon of peace, cooperation and economic growth will then open for the area of the Eastern Mediterranean to the benefit not only of the countries and peoples of the area but also to the benefit of our wider European family,'' she concluded.

Furthermore, Antoniadou dismissed press reports that the Noble's Homer Ferrington drilling rig will leave Cyprus' block 12, stating that ''the rig will remain on site until it completes the work with regard to the exploratory drilling and some first appraisal checks.''