Wednesday,
7/8/2013
The Minister of Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Environment Mr Nicos Kouyialis had a bilateral meeting
with the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Israel Mr Silvan
Shalom, today, in Nicosia. The two Ministers made statements to the
Press as follows:
In his statement, Mr Kouyialis said:
«During our meeting today with the
Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Israel Mr Silvan Shalom, we
had the opportunity to discuss various issues of common interest in
the sector of water development, management and protection. As you
all know the two countries, Cyprus and Israel, are characterized by
similar climate conditions and scarce water resources.
Cyprus
in the past 50 years has invested heavily in the water sector and the
development of its natural water resources is nearly complete. Our
friend country of Israel has invested and continues to invest heavily
in the water development sector and is one of the world pioneers in
the development of new water treatment technologies, such as
desalination and waste water treatment and reuse in agriculture.
As
you all know, we have established a successful cooperation in the
field of desalination as in three of our four permanent desalination
plants, Israeli companies were involved. A new era of cooperation
starts today in the field of sewage treatment and waste water reuse
that will help Cyprus improve its water balance, as substantial and
constant quantities of recycled water will be utilized in the best
possible way. We have decided to extend this cooperation which will
include semi-annual meetings at a political and technical level.
We
have also identified other issues in which there is mutual interest
for cooperation. These issues include implementation of projects,
research, water demand management, etc.
The
discussion took place in a friendly atmosphere in the presence of
government officials and I am sure this will be the beginning of a
fruitful cooperation in the future.
At
the same time, I would like to stress that the Memorandum of
Understanding to be signed tomorrow between the Ministers of Cyprus,
Israel and Greece is of outmost historical and political importance,
because it is the first to be signed between the three countries».
Mr
Shalom noted that the meeting was a very fruitful one, that shows the
good relations between Cyprus and Israel these days and added: «I
believe that we can do more than we have done until now. There is a
big change, a good feeling existing between the two sides, a good
will to help one another. Concerning water issues, Israel would like
to give any help needed. It is a country with a semi-dry climate and
because of that we had to invent many ways on how to use water. We
are very happy that an Israeli company is involved here, making
projects.
I
have invited the Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources
and Environment and his delegation to visit Israel in the near future
and form a track of semi-annual meetings – once in Nicosia and once
in Jerusalem – in order to exchange information, exchange experts,
exchange professors from Universities and to talk about recycled
water, waste water treatment, as well as security of water.
We
believe that it is necessary these days – even though Cyprus is not
facing the same threats that Israel is facing from terrorists –
that many countries invest on safeguarding water from attacks of
terrorism. Israel would love to help Cyprus through its knowledge and
experience, as it does with many other countries around the world.
Tomorrow
we are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Ministers of Cyprus, Israel and Greece. It is a historical moment, it
happens for the first time and we hope that it will enable us to
strengthen the relations between our three countries. Tomorrow we are
going to talk about energy issues. The fact that we are here shows
that we do not only talk together about water, but also about
geopolitics, strategy and political issues».
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