The possibilities of finding natural gas in offshore Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone would be a game changer for Cyprus and Europe, Italy’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Federica Ferrari Bravo, told CNA on Thursday.
During her visit at CNA’s offices for the signing of the agreement between the CNA and the Italian News Agency (ANSA), the ambassador also referred to the importance of the eastern Mediterranean for both Cyprus and Italy.
“As you know we are also quite active in the energy sector and in this period of time ENI and TOTAL are exploring Block 6,” she said, adding that the possibilities of finding gas would be “a very relevant game changer” for Cyprus and Europe due to the fact that energy is very high on the international agenda of many countries of Europe after the invasion of Ukraine.
Asked by CNA about cooperation prospects on the energy sector between Cyprus and Italy, she said, they are working on this sector.
“We are working, I hope the companies of ENI and TOTAL will be successful in their activities, it would be a game changer, because, as I said, Europe needs energy from these different sources and Cyprus will very much benefit from being connected to the major gas pipes,” she said.
Cyprus, she added, will be able to provide natural gas to gas pipes of the region and develop its economy and contribute to the energy efficiency of Europe, but also the eastern Mediterranean region. She said that the eastern Mediterranean region was “a crucial area, an area with problems, we don’t have to deny that, but we are confident that through international cooperation and, at different level, some problems can be solved to the benefit of the entire region and of our countries.”
Referring to the relations between Cyprus and Italy in general, the Ambassador said that they were working to further develop these relations.
“I always hear that these relations are historic, it’s true, they are,” she said, adding that it is necessary, when talking about the two countries’ relations to not only look at the past but also into the future.
The two countries Ministers and Governments, she said, meet regularly in Brussels but there is definitely need for a stronger bilateral agenda.
“We attach a lot of importance to the MED 9, we believe that countries in the Mediterranean region have a say in Europe, and in the international arena as well, because we face common goals and common problems and we probably understand each other better because we are part of the same family,” she added.
So, in this format, she noted, Italy and Cyprus can play a role because they are both Mediterranean countries and on different sides of the Mediterranean.
Referring to the “very important, renewed role Cyprus is playing in the eastern Mediterranean region,” she said “we are witnessing that Cyprus diplomacy is also quite active in the region and the Government is doing a lot to foster ties with countries of the region.” She noted that this was “a very positive development” and very positive for them to know that a friend, and an allied country can also share information and opinion about the region, about the difficulties and make its voice heard louder wherever its necessary.
SOURCE: CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY