Greek Cyprus and Israel ‘close to sign’ gas deal

NICOSIA - Daily News with wires

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Israel and Greek Cyprus are close to signing an agreement on hydrocarbon reserves in the cross median line, said the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman met with Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis yesterday to discuss energy reserves and bilateral relations, Cyprus news agency reported. The two discussed pending agreements, “especially the one on the shared development and exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the cross median line,” Marcoullis said after the meeting. “We are in the final stages of the negotiations on this agreement and hopefully soon we will have the opportunity to sign it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that “any threats are unacceptable behavior in today’s international politics,” referring to Turkey’s reaction to Greek Cyprus’ gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. The only way to resolve problems and disagreements is through direct talks he said.