Cyprus and Lebanon hold lengthy discussions on EEZ

CYPRUS and Lebanon yesterday held lengthy discussions in a bid to settle the neighbouring country’s concerns over the delineation of their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

No official announcement was made after the talks that started in the morning and carried on until the late afternoon.

Lebanon’s concerns appear to be a stumbling block to the ratification of a 2007 agreement signed between the two countries, delineating their offshore boundaries. 

It is thought that the reason for the delay in Lebanon ratifying the deal is its dispute with Israel over the precise location of their maritime border.

Earlier yesterday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said both sides had goodwill and good intentions, adding that he was awaiting the result of the talks between the two countries’ experts.

His Cypriot counterpart, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said that all that is of concern to Lebanon would be discussed “with the intention to see how we can contribute to the resolution of all these matters.”

Marcoullis added that the two countries would also look into how to cooperate on other important areas concerning exploration, development and procession of hydrocarbons.

Cyprus has signed a separate deal with Israel, which Mansour reportedly criticised in June as a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and economic rights.

Technically, Lebanon and Israel are still at war.

The Cyprus-Israel deal reportedly leaves the disputed area with Israel.

The exact location in question covers part of Leviathan, an Israeli field that has yielded one of the biggest natural gas – 16tcf — finds in the last decade.

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