Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told the Cyprus News Agency the two men had a productive meeting, which lasted for 45 minutes, with Descalzi expressing his company’s commitment to engage in further activity in Cyprus’ EEZ.

ENI’s confidence vote is attested, moreover, by the recent extension the company has received to its first research period offshore Cyprus, Christodoulides added.

“We consider this commitment to be very important, since it comes amid a very difficult international environment for the hydrocarbons’ sector, taking also into account oil prices,” he noted.

According to Christodoulides, who was present at the meeting, Descalzi said that new developments emerge in the region, following the discovery of the giant Zohr gas field in Egypt, with ENI hoping to take a leading role.

On Thursday, January 21, Anastasiades will host a presentation on ‘Reuniting Cyprus’ with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide, which will be followed by a meeting of Anastasiades with US Vice President Joe Biden. After that Anastasiades and Akinci will meet jointly, around 12.30pm local time with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Source: Cyprus Mail