The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and
Environment, Mr Nicos Kouyialis, represented Cyprus at the Mediterranean Summit
held in Florence, Italy, from 21-22 January 2014, entitled: «The Mediterranean
Sea – A new oil and Gas El Dorado».
The Summit focused on the health, safety and
environmental challenges raised as a result of the activities of exploration and
exploitation of oil and gas in the Mediterranean Sea.
Apart from the European Commissioner for Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries, Mrs Maria Damanaki, politicians from a number of
Mediterranean countries directly involved in gas exploration, such as Lebanon
and Algeria, as well as professors and gas industry representatives also
attended and addressed the Summit.
In his address, Minister Kouyialis stressed the economic
importance of the discovery of hydrocarbons within Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic
Zone for the broader Eastern Mediterranean region as well as the opportunities
offered for strengthening Cyprus’s geopolitical role through international
cooperation.
He also pointed out the necessity of protecting the
environment as a result of activities related to hydrocarbon exploration and
exploitation. as well as the importance of regional cooperation between
neighbouring countries. In this framework, the Minister announced that the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Cyprus and Israel on marine
environment protection is within reach. He also noted the importance of
neighbouring countries signing similar agreements.
The necessity of regional cooperation was warmly
welcomed by all attendants, especially by Commissioner Damanaki, who highlighted
its importance for the attainment of the common goal of economic growth and
environmental protection.
