The aim is to create an alternative energy corridor to Europe through the Eastern Mediterranean, in cooperation with Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and other countries in the region, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday evening, adding that “we are in talks with energy giants on the allocation of additional blocks” in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.
The President was responding to a journalist’s question about Cyprus’ role in the European Union’s energy security, following his meeting with European Council President António Costa. He was speaking as he arrived at an event in the community of Dymes, Limassol district, for the inauguration of the “Upgrade of the Dymes Cultural Centre” project.
In his remarks, he also said that the Council of Ministers will announce projects worth a total of €3.5 billion across the government-controlled areas of Cyprus in 2027.
Schengen
Regarding Cyprus’ full integration into the Schengen Area, the President noted that the European Commission’s report is highly positive and recommends that the Republic of Cyprus’ request be examined as a priority.
“We are working on the basis of a specific plan and strategy,” the President of the Republic said, responding to a question about Cyprus’ role in the European Union’s energy security.
“One concerns the completion of the infrastructure needed for the arrival of natural gas, referring to the infrastructure at Vasilikos, which is very important. Tenders have been issued and the process is moving forward,” he noted.
Alternative energy corridor
As he said, the second concerns the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.
“Beyond the blocks that have already been allocated, we are in talks with energy giants on the allocation of additional blocks, with the aim of creating, through cooperation between the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, Israel, the Republic of Cyprus and potentially other countries in the region, an alternative energy corridor to Europe,” he noted.
He also stressed that Europe’s energy security, and that of the EU member states, “is a matter of the highest priority, as we have seen from the developments since 2022 in Ukraine.”
Furthermore, he said that much of his discussion on Friday with the President of the European Council focused on the EU’s multiannual financial framework, covering the European Union’s budget for the next seven years, for the 2028-2034 period.
“We are at the final stage of the negotiations and aim to reach a political agreement by the end of the year,” the President said.
Budget
He noted that, based on the current figures, “our country is expected to receive around €2.5 billion from this budget, in addition to the €1 billion contribution by the Republic of Cyprus.”
“So, in 2027, the Council of Ministers will announce projects worth €3.5 billion across the government-controlled areas of Cyprus,” President Christodoulides said.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to call on all our communities to prepare projects to the required level of maturity so that they can be approved by the Government in 2027,” he said, addressing the communities.
Asked about Cyprus’ readiness to join the Schengen Area and whether any messages had been received from the EU on the matter, the President of the Republic said that “the Commission’s report assessing our country is highly positive and recommends that the Republic of Cyprus’ request for full integration into the Schengen Area be examined as a priority.”
“We are working to ensure that a political decision is taken as soon as possible,” he added.
He explained that the decision will be taken by the Council, that is, by the member states, at the level of the Justice and Home Affairs Council.
Source: CNA
