If the efforts on the Cyprus problem progress, the efforts on natural gas will also progress, said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, which was discussing developments in the EastMed pipeline and the geopolitical importance and external dimension of the EuroAsia Interconnector project.
"Keeping the Cyprus problem open risks much more unilateral actions" on the part of Turkey, which "will create even greater difficulties," he stressed.
"Of course Turkey would be interested in passing gas from Cyprus and going to Turkey as it is the cheapest way if it passes through the land area of Cyprus," he said, adding that "as are Turkey's positions and as is the toxic climate being created, this issue cannot be controlled at the moment."
That is why we are all saying, according to the Foreign Minister, that "it is better to solve the Cyprus problem and for Turkey to have this prospect and benefit from the solution."
Answering questions from MPs, Mr. Kasoulides raised the question whether they think that "the EU will ever go ahead to do anything against Turkey" other than protests and diplomatic actions - when major European interests of big countries like Germany will have a different view.
Turkey and EMGF
Regarding Turkey's participation in the Euro-Mediterranean Gas Facility (EMGF), Mr. Kasoulides said that "a year and a half ago Turkey was hostile to both Egypt and Israel and almost all the members participating in the EMGF and was neither interested nor would the others want to be."
[/P]He also expressed the belief that "back then Cyprus was not the obstacle."
Now that things have changed (Turkey) has not shown that it is interested, he added.
Renewable energy and the buffer zone
Stating that Cyprus, which has the sun, should proceed with its exploitation, Mr. Kasoulides announced that one of the options to this end "is an agreement through the UN to fill most of the buffer zone with photovoltaic panels, so that the Turkish Cypriots who have their electricity constantly cut off - because it seems that Ankara's protocols have created an additional problem for them - and us."
EU, Egypt, Israel agreement
Regarding the EU, Egypt and Israel agreement to increase gas exports to the Union, Kasoulides said that Cyprus "is not outside the EU, Egypt, Israel agreement."
He added that when we talk about the EU, Cyprus as a member state is present.
Source: CNA
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