Cyprus-Forum.com

[Hermes]

The next steps Cyprus needs to take to protect its EEZ.

1. Give permits to other large foreign companies to come and explore the mineral resources of Cyprus's EEZ. Especially from countries such as France, Russia, Britain as these will be accompanied by military protection. This is crucial as Turkey is challenging the question of Cyprus's EEZ and specifically for plots 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 west, in an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic.

2. Greece should proceed directly to the proclamation of its EEZ.

3. Cyprus should not agree to discuss its energy reserves as part of the talks for a Cyprus settlement.

4. Cyprus should not proceed to recognize a Palestinian state. Israel is clear: it wants us to vote against this request. Our relations with Israel are more crucial at this point.

5. Cyprus must proceed to sign the agreements that are pending with Israel, for drilling and transporting natural gas. We must agree to build a gas terminal in Cyprus, because Israel will take on the security aspect. Until the signing of these agreements we will not be a true partner of Israel.

Taken from comments by Dr. Elena Stavrou (in Greek) http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/polit ... taz/423577

[Capt J Sparrow]

1. YES

2. YES, but they need some bollocks to do that....

3. YES

4. A cautious no - sorry Israel, but you are wrong in this, from one ally to another ally. Give the Palestinians an itsy teeny weeny break.

5. YES absolutely....

[bill cobbett]

Yes, deffo to all the above.

As to our friends the Palestinians, CY should echo the EU/EP position, which is...

'...European Parliament endorses Palestinian quest for statehood, says it should be achieved via negotiations; 'Right of Palestinians to self-determination and to have their own state is unquestionable,'

and

"The right of Palestinians to self-determination and to have their own state is unquestionable, as is the right of Israel to exist within safe borders".

and on the matter of settlements...

"The expansion of settlements threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution," "This plan should be reversed."

[bill cobbett]

Oh by the way... we all know by now that the on-going exploration in Block 12 is being carried out by the US Nobel company. Now it transpires that 15% of Nobel's drilling costs are being met by the Israeli Dalek company and its subsidiary Avner in return for a 30% option in any finds, with any activation of the option to Dalek subject to approval by the Republic.

So Israel has very real interests in Block 12.

More at ... http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ ... 3&fid=1725

[Capt J Sparrow]

Oh by the way... we all know by now that the on-going exploration in Block 12 is being carried out by the US Nobel company. Now it transpires that 15% of Nobel's drilling costs are being met by the Israeli Dalek company and its subsidiary Avner in return for a 30% option in any finds, with any activation of the option to Dalek subject to approval by the Republic.

So Israel has very real interests in Block 12.

More at ... http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ ... 3&fid=1725

Dalek's involvement was known many months ago.

Also, Noble Energy itself is a semi quasi US company with Israeli/Jewish interests.