Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 12-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Sylikiotis: Government proceeds with natural gas plans

[02] Turkish claims in Cyprus` EEZ are unfounded, says former Ambassador

[03] Cyprus Education Fair opens its gates

[01] Sylikiotis: Government proceeds with natural gas plans

Sylikiotis, who replying to a question on the matter during an event about local administration in Nicosia, said that the standard type of contract for the second licensing round for natural gas exploration within the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone may be published today, Friday.

“I think it is clear that we are proceeding with the 2nd licensing round”, he noted.

Recalling the work done by previous governments and the fact that agreements of delineation were signed during previous governments and the present one, Sylikiotis said that “we have proceeded with exploratory drilling, we have the results of Noble and we are continuing our cooperation with Noble the soonest possible for the exploration of natural gas and future ways of exploitation as well as with the 2nd licensing round”.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Recently, Nicosia announced in the Official Journal of the EU a call for an international tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation within the Republic’s Economic Exclusive Zone, signaling the initiation of a second round of licensing.

On Wednesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Nicosia’s new licensing round in the area could lead to tension in the region.

In response to Cypriot exploration activities, Ankara has deployed in the past warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

[02] Turkish claims in Cyprus` EEZ are unfounded, says former Ambassador

Iacovides, who served in the past as head of the Cypriot delegation for the Convention of the Law of the Sea, was invited by CNA to comment on the announcement issued on Wednesday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding the second international tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration called by the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkey has claimed that certain sections of some of these blocks ``are overlapping with Turkey’s continental shelf areas in the Eastern Mediterranean``.

[03] Cyprus Education Fair opens its gates

The Fair is organised by the Cyprus State Fairs Authority and the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture. Inaugurating the Education Fair, Minister of Education George Demosthenous said the event comprises an annual established tradition, giving the opportunity to students, educational professionals and the parents to acquire information regarding educational establishments in Cyprus and abroad.

During the opening ceremony, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Androulla Vassiliou talked about the importance of young people studying, working or acquiring professional vocation abroad, in order to enhance their employment opportunities.

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