The President of the Republic of Cyprus was the Keynote speaker yesterday at the formal dinner of the "3rd Cyprus Energy Symposium”, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), in co-operation with the Cyprus-based media company FMW - Financial Media Way. The Symposium is taking place on March 27 -28, 2014, in Nicosia under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and is focusing on "The Role of Cyprus in the New European Energy Strategy”The President of the Republic of Cyprus was the Keynote speaker yesterday at the formal dinner of the "3rd Cyprus Energy Symposium”, organized by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE), in co-operation with the Cyprus-based media company FMW - Financial Media Way. The Symposium is taking place on March 27 -28, 2014, in Nicosia under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and is focusing on "The Role of Cyprus in the New European Energy Strategy”.
President Anastasiadis stressed that both the construction of the onshore gas liquefaction terminal in Cyprus and the promotion of a new gas corridor from the southeastern Mediterranean to the European Union, are at the top of his government’s energy priorities. As he added, if the pipeline to Greece is viable, "for us would be the preferred option."
He also referred to the completion of the process of setting up and staffing of the two major bodies of energy, Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (EYK) and Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) "by choosing, admittedly, personalities of long experience and knowledge who excelled in their field, "as he said.
According to Mr Anastasiadis, the existence of commercially exploitable hydrocarbon reserves in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus and the wider energy plans for its establishment as a transit hub for energy products, are expected to make Cyprus a regional energy hub.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic of Cyprus said that "our vision is that the establishment of peace and prosperity for all the peoples of the region and especially for the people of Cyprus will become a reality. The hydrocarbons can be the catalyst for solving the Cyprus problem. In a federation , both communities will have a right to natural wealth of the country . Hydrocarbons and their utilization can become a factor of stability for the benefit of the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus can play a role in this. The solution of the Cyprus problem will maximize the benefits which may arise ".
From his part, the Chairman of IENE Mr. John Chatzivassiliadis stressed that sustainable energy systems should be developed in European countries, aiming at zero carbon emissions. The development of renewable energy, international electrical interconnections and further expansion of the network, are of particular importance for a sustainable and competitive market. Cyprus, along with the development of gas deposits, should invest in a balanced market, whereas, in compliance with RES European Directives, it should prioritize electrical connections with Greece and with Israel so as to exceed its energy isolation. Mr. Chatzivassiliadis also referred to the absence of both the electrical interface between Crete and mainland Greece as well as of the islands with the rest of the mainland. Within this context, he referred to a study prepared by IENE on electrical interconnections in Greece and to the proposal of creating a regional natural gas price hub.
The CEO of FMW - Financial Media Way, Mr. Joseph Joseph, President of the CCCI, Mr. Phidias Pilides and the Managing Director of KPMG, Μr. Andreas K. Christofides, also adressed the Symposium.
Ministers from the governments of Cyprus and Greece, representatives from public and private companies and organizations from the above countries, officials of regional and international organizations, academics and professionals from the energy field are expected to attend and speak today at the "3rd Cyprus Energy Symposium”. In total, more than 25 speakers and panellists are expected to participate and cover a wide range of topics on energy resources and applications.
The Symposium’s sponsors include the Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) and Finland’s Wärtsilä ,a power generation solutions provider for marine and energy markets. The events supporters include the Energy Regulator of Cyprus (RAEK), the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and the J& P and Marsh companies. Cyprus Airways are the Symposium’s official airline, while the event’s media partners include the daily "Philelephtheros” and the "Cyprus Weekly” newspapers, Antenna CyprusTV Channel, as well as the sites www.energia.grandwww.nomisma.com.cy .
