Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-02-26

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - OIL ISSUE - GUL`S THREATS

[02] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER - CYPRUS

[03] MALTA`S PRESIDENT - CYPRUS - SUPPORT

[04] MISSING PERSONS - REMAINS - EXCAVATIONS

[01] CYPRUS GOVERNMENT - OIL ISSUE - GUL`S THREATS

A reply to the representative of a country which refuses to comply with legality and international law and which believes that everyone and everything must be subject to Turkish arbitrariness is futile, Pashiardes said commenting on Guls recent statements on the issue of oil exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

At the same time Pashiardes aid that that Egypt remains absolutely consistent to the agreement signed between Cyprus and Egypt on the oil issue.

Responding to a question, Pashiardes said he could not rule out the possibility of pressure being exerted on Turkey. However he ruled out that Turkey submits to pressure.

Invited to say why the Lebanese competent Minister was not present at the official opening on February 15 of the 1st Licensing Round Offshore Cyprus for the grant of hydrocarbon exploration and development licenses, Pashiardes said that the representative of Lebanon did not come to Cyprus due to the extraordinary and volatile situation in Lebanon.

As regards Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos recent visit to Athens, Pashiardes said it was very useful and constructive and that talks were substantive in a climate of fraternal cooperation and solidarity.

The Spokesman said that further handling of the oil issue will be decided at a later stage, if and when oil is found.

As regards an interview by the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, who said that that oil issue could contribute to a Cyprus settlement, the spokesman said that the time of solving the Cyprus issue depends exclusively on the Turkish side, and given that fact that oil extraction and co-exploitation will take a long time, then there is ample and capable time for solving the Cyprus question.

Towards this direction, he added, the Turkish side has to cooperate and all the others who directly or indirectly are interested in the Cyprus question must convince the Turkish side to show the necessary political will for a Cyprus settlement the soonest possible.

Cyprus, and EU member state since May 2004, has signed agreements for the delimitation of its Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Lebanon. Turkey, which has been occupying 37% of Cyprus territory since her invasion to the island in 1974, has reacted with threats as regards the governments intentions for exploration and exploitation of possible oil deposits or natural gas in the sea area off the island.

[02] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER - CYPRUS

During his visit (1-2 March) the Commissioner will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos and will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Michaelides.

On Friday, Piebalgs will make a presentation titled An energy policy for Europe at the International Conference Center in Nicosia, which will be followed by a round table discussion

[03] MALTA`S PRESIDENT - CYPRUS - SUPPORT

Adami gave this assurance at a ceremony on February 22, 2007, during which Cyprus Ambassador to Malta, based in Rome, Athena Mavronicola, presented her credentials.

[04] MISSING PERSONS - REMAINS - EXCAVATIONS

Assistant to Greek Cypriot member of the tripartite Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) Xenophon Kallis told CNA that at the moment, the ground is being prepared to explore the area next to the one where the remains were found.

Furthermore he noted that some members of the team which is carrying out the excavations in the free areas began excavations in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus, but refrained from saying in which areas they are working.

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