PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias yesterday confirmed that options were being considered for bringing liquid natural gas (LNG) from Russia as well as Egypt.
But he was keen to add that no agreements had yet been signed. Discussions did, however, take place on the matter during his visit to Russia.
“The government is simply promoting the best interests of Cyprus and where there is the most beneficial offer and certainty of continuous supply of natural gas, then the appropriate decision will be made,” said Christofias.
Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Moscow, the President was asked whether an agreement had been signed with Russia to supply Cyprus with natural gas.
“A serious and investigative meeting took place between the Commerce Minister and the Gazprom leadership, and this effort will continue,” said Christofias. “There is interest on part of Russia, as there is interest from other areas.”
He added: “The discussions will continue in the framework of channels that are already open, and when there is a result, it will be immediately announced by both sides.”
Asked whether this would affect agreements signed with Egypt, Christofias clarified: “No agreements have been signed with Egypt to supply natural gas. Investigative contacts have taken place with Egypt, as well as other countries that have natural gas.”
The government is right to investigate all the possibilities, former Commerce Minister Nicos Rolandis yesterday told the Cyprus Mail.
“GAZPROM is one of the biggest LNG suppliers in the world and seeing that they were in Russia anyway, they did well to investigate it,” said Rolandis.
“But what matters is that we should have had LNG by now, based on our plans in 2003, which were lost during Tassos Papadopoulos’ government.
“I don’t see any final decisions. We still haven’t started building the degasification terminal. It has been six years since I left the ministry and nothing has been done about it.”
According to Rolandis, when he departed from the ministry, there was a specific plan, which was prepared with the help of foreign experts, “according to which by the end of 2007 we should have a degasification terminal and be prepared for LNG.”
The plan, he added, was shelved. “And now we are still talking. I hope we start acting. For each year that goes by, consumers pay the price in extra costs, and soon they will be paying in the form of fines to the European Union due to pollution.
“I think cooperating with Gazprom is a good idea. But we must try and get the best deal.
Counties closer to Cyprus will be cheaper, such as Egypt and Algeria.”
