Processes for exploration and extraction of natural gas in South Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone are continuing as planned and are not linked to the Cyprus issue, Deputy Government Spokesman Victoras Papadopoulos said last night.
He noted that, “if and when the Cyprus problem is solved, then there will be different cooperation and different prospects for cooperation with all the players in the region.”
Asked about remarks by President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades in a Turkish newspaper regarding the benefits from the natural gas after a solution, and whether this linked the solution with the natural gas issue, Papadopoulos said, “on the contrary, it disconnects the solution of the Cyprus problem from the natural gas.”
The procedures to find, extract the natural gas are proceeding normally and are not linked to the solution of the Cyprus problem. The position of the President of the Republic is that, if a just, balanced solution of the Cyprus problem is found, which secures the viability of the solution, only then would the road for cooperation in the region with anyone be open,” he concluded.
