Speaking during his ministry’s first public consultation with civil society on ‘Energy perspectives of Cyprus and cooperation with surrounding countries’, Foreign Minister Kasoulides said Cyprus’ geographic position made it an EU outpost to a particularly sensitive area, where the international community faces problems of extremism and asymmetric threats such as terrorism and organised crime. He argued that Cyprus’ foreign policy must acquire its own identity in relation to its geography, position in the Eastern Mediterranean and problems faced by the region.

Referring to the discovery of hydrocarbons in the area, Kasoulides said Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) borders the EEZ’s of neighbouring countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, making hydrocarbons a tool of foreign policy. So far Cyprus has reached agreements with Lebanon, Egypt and Israel for the delimitation of their respective EEZs, though the Lebanese parliament has yet to ratify the delimitation agreement. Kassoulides said the common denominator of these EEZs is Cyprus, which is the only country that has agreements with Lebanon, Egypt and Israel. This creates additional responsibilities for Cyprus’ foreign policy, but also a vision which many not be implemented in the near future but by future generations.

“Our vision is for hydrocarbons to do for our region, what coal and steel did for Europe, which at the end of the Second World War led to the reconciliation of Germany and France, through the creation of the Coal and Steel Community involving former warring countries, which was the precursor to the EU as we know it today,” he said. “I believe that one day something similar will happen in our region, because always the prospect of prosperity for the people supersedes nationalist or other barriers that are created,” he added.

The minister referred to the excellent relations between Cyprus and Egypt, noting that President Nicos Anastasiades will visit the country shortly to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in the common waters of the two countries. According to Kasoulides, under pressure from Turkey, the previous Egyptian government of ousted president Mohamed Morsi kept the agreement on ice for a long time. He also referred to the excellent relations between Cyprus and Israel not only concerning hydrocarbons but on all levels, without Cyprus’ abrogating its positions on the Palestinian issue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Cyprus in 2014, accompanied by many ministers for a broad consultation on a wide range of issues with the Cyprus government with the aim of creating a horizontal coordination and cooperation across various sectors, he said.

Kasoulides referred to the traditionally very good relations with Lebanon, noting that Cyprus hopes to participate in finding a solution in the dispute between Lebanon and Israel over their respective EEZs.

Source: Cyprus Mail