The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus received a “confidence vote” by Claudio Descalzi, the CEO of Italian energy giant ENI, during a meeting with the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told the Cyprus News Agency that 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.
CNA/AGK/GV/2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY