Cyprus And Israel Cement Ties With Further Agreements

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(Free-Press-Release.com) February 17, 2012 -- Netanyahu, who was making his opening remarks during a joint press conference with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias at the Presidential Palace, expressed the view that in the field of gas exploitation a regional approach may be followed, which, he noted, “perhaps begins with a regional cooperation between Cyprus and Israel but could extend to others if they choose to enter”.

Referring specifically to the hydrocarbon reserves found in the Exclusive Economic Zones of both Israel and Cyprus, Netanyahu said that “it is our view that if we can cooperate the sum of the total will be greater than the individual parts”.

“We are looking in the next months to complete a joint study to see how we can translate this cooperation into practical economic terms”, he added, expressing the view that large scale projects are better handled in cooperation with others.

Netanyahu also referred to the political problems of both Israel and Cyprus, pointing out that “we believe that those problems have to be solved through negotiations, they cannot be imposed from the outside, because imposed solutions do not work”.

“The only thing that works to advance peace and reconciliation between neighbours is to actually have a negotiation”, he said, adding that “this is what we seek with the Palestinians and this is what we believe must be followed in other cases as well”.

According to Netanyahu President Christofias was the first leader he called for help during the terrible fire at Carmel mountain in 2010, adding that the fact that President Christofias replied positively “was an expression of friendship and we tried to reciprocate it later when you had your tragedy”.

“This highlights something that is so natural for two liberal democracies”, Netanyahu pointed out, adding that “we are democracies we share values but yet we didn’t have this contact for so many decades and now we find it the most natural thing”.

He further gave an account of recent developments in the relations between the two countries, referring to a formal agreement for rescue and emergency services, and ongoing discussions on cooperation in the fields of economics and tourism.

“The flight from Israel to Cyprus is about 45 minutes, 45 minutes in 63 years”, Netanyahu said, adding that “it took us 63 years to make this 45 minutes trip for the Israeli PM and I want to thank you for the invitation and the friendship that is developing between the two countries”.PIO
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