.
With the crisis erupting in the Gulf, where the block headed by Saudi Arabia has imposed sanctions on Qatar and has threatened further measures if the gas producer does not back down from supporting radical Islamic groups and Iran, it is clear that Cyprus has a greater interest in helping resolve the matter than many other EU partners.
Qatar Petroleum is a junior partner with ExxonMobil in the newly-licensed Block 10 of the Cyprus EEZ and the government cannot afford either sanctions being imposed on the rich Gulf state, that would hamper exploration and export opportunities, or Qatar puling out of the venture.
Quite the contrary, with noises restarting that Turkey, through its special relationship with Doha, could take advantage of Qatar Petroleum’s 40% stake in the natgas development, this poses a unique opportunity for Cyprus to play a mediatory role, assisting Gulf nations such as Kuwait and Oman that want peace in their neighbourhood.
Iran, too, through its proxy war in Syria and accused of supporting the Shiites in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, needs to find a way to resume talking to western nations, especially after the US President has blasted Tehran of it, too, supporting terrorism and that its nuclear programme should be terminated altogether.
Cyprus has a vested interest in all these countries continuing to trade and invest here, and allowing Cypriot ventures to invest in their countries. With Turkey frustrated over the EU’s rejection to resume accession talks with Ankara, and he situation in the country more fragile than ever before, Cyprus should once again try and take a leading role, taking charge, even, on behalf of the EU, to ensure that peace and stability return to the Middle East, from where thousands of refugees continue to flee in search of better fortunes, becoming a burden on European nations and their state finances.
Cyprus has done it before and has proven its diplomatic capabilities as being far superior to many others. It can do it again and at the same time help regain the admiration of Middle East neighbours that will reward such initiatives.
