The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, emphasized the urgent need to speed up the implementation of energy designs due to geopolitical developments during a meeting with a Chevron delegation, led by its President, Javier La Rosa, on Wednesday morning at the Presidential Palace.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, George Papanastasiou, and the Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President stated that the internal process regarding the Host Government Agreement (for the transport of Cypriot natural gas to Egypt) is nearing completion. He pointed out that, in light of international and regional developments, the need to expedite the Republic of Cyprus's energy plans has become even more imperative.

He further stressed that advancing Cyprus's energy designs holds particular significance for both the wider region and the European Union, at a time when energy security, diversification of sources, and Europe's energy autonomy are at the forefront of the European agenda.

President Christodoulides noted that this issue was also discussed during the informal European Council held in Cyprus last week, highlighting the geostrategeic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean for the EU's energy security and future prospects.

He also mentioned that internal procedures are expected to be finalized within the coming weeks, with decisions to be made by the Council of Ministers as part of the scheduled action plan.

The President added that the matter was also discussed with the President of Egypt on the sidelines of the informal European Council, confirming the importance of regional cooperation in promoting specific energy projects and linking the region's energy prospects with Europe's needs.

Source: CNA (ΚΥΠΕ)