UN Calls for Cypriot Oil & Gas Mutual Understanding
After concluding a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, United Nations Special Envoy to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide stated to reporters, "I think is is very important now that everybody acts responsibly and avoid further escalation and that we, as soon as possible, create an understanding that the oil and gas resources as President Anastasiades has repeatedly stated, is for all Cypriots".
The UN Special Envoy additionally commented,"It is a serious issue that we also see in all parts of the world when you have maritime disputes ... oil and gas can be either a blessing or a curse. If it is well managed it will be a source of wealth for all Cypriots ... if it becomes a source of tension it will be a problem for everyone and then it will be more of a curse than a solution", according to Europe Online Magazine.
Anastasiades has for the time being, stopped his participation in peace talks with Turkish-Cypriot Leader Dervis Eroglu on Tuesday, due to Turkey's oil and gas exploration plans off of Cyprus' southern territory. Italian-Korean conglomerate ENI-KOGAS has previously been authorized to administer exploratory natural gas drilling in the coastal region.
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