Filenews 7 April 2022
The idea there is to create a very long pipeline in very deep waters over about 10 years and we believe that this is very expensive, non-economically viable and will take too long, said Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States.
Countries in this region have understood that dependence on Russian oil and gas is an extremely bad thing, and there is convergence in the interest in diversifying sources of supply, even as we work on the transition to green energy, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political Attacks Victoria Nuland said today, after her meeting in the morning at the Presidential Palace with the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades.
Asked if the EastMed pipeline is now a vital option for the U.S. after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ms. Nuland said that "the idea there is to create a very long pipeline in very deep water in the space of about 10 years and we believe this is very expensive, economically viable and will last very long."
The U.S. official stressed the importance of the transition to green energy, noting, at the same time, that what they are looking for in terms of hydrocarbons are options for more gas and oil for a short transition period.
Mrs. Nuland said the idea is for everyone to benefit because there is a need for alternative energy everywhere.
Asked if she brings any U.S. ideas to both sides in Cyprus to help them move forward in the process of resolving the Cyprus problem, she noted that "we are interested in hearing the views in both the north and the south," expressing U.S. support for "Confidence Building Measures, things that can improve the economy in both the north and south of the island."
"But primarily this is an opportunity to hear if there is a convergence of views on which we can build," he added.
Referring to her meeting later with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, she said she would talk to him about the continued support of the US in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem "in a bi-communal way, as we have always supported over time".
Mrs. Nuland also said, in her statements, that "we are very pleased to have a strong partnership with Cyprus at this absolutely vital moment for democracy as we stand together against Mr Putin's brutal attack on Ukraine.
"Cyprus has provided humanitarian support, it has banned "Russian warships from being in this region, it has strongly supported in the EU and globally the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it has welcomed Ukrainians here," she noted.
She added that "we stand together to ensure that this war is a strategic failure for Mr. Putin and we stand firmly by the courageous people of Ukraine, who are fighting not only for their own homeland, but for the freedom of all of us."
"We had a good discussion about what more needs to be done, including the decision yesterday by the US, by the EU and other democracies, including the G7 countries, to increase sanctions and pressure," she said.
She noted that during the meeting they reviewed the developing U.S. relationship on security issues with the Republic of Cyprus, referring to yesterday's inauguration of the Cyprus Training Centre for Land and Sea Security and Port Security CyCLOPS.
She pointed out that this will be an educational centre not only for Americans and Cypriots, but also for the countries in the region, adding that "this is a radical change in the way we operate together".
Referring to the meeting she would then have with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mrs. Nuland said that "now I will go to the north and spend some time with President Tatar and talk to him about the continued support of the US in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem in a bi-communal way, as we have always supported over time."
When asked by a journalist if her reference to "President Tatar" was wrong, Ms. Nuland said it was a mistake and apologized, calling the Turkish Cypriot leader "Mr. Tatar."
"It's been a long time since I was back in Cyprus. Obviously we are referring to him as Mr. Tatar," she pointed out.
Asked if the EastMed pipeline is now a vital option for the U.S. after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ms. Nuland said that "the idea there is to create a very long pipeline in very deep water in the space of about 10 years and we believe this is very expensive, economically viable and will last very long."
The U.S. official stressed the importance of the transition to green energy, noting, at the same time, that what they are looking for in terms of hydrocarbons are options for more gas and oil for a short transition period.
"In 10 years from now we want to be much greener (in energy) and with much more diversity (in energy sources)," he said.
"So right now we are focusing on energy interconnections, we are focusing on projects that can deliver results now for Cyprus, and in the south and in the north, for Europe, for all the countries in this neighbourhood," he said.
Asked to say what options the U.S. is considering for the region, Ms. Nuland said the idea is for everyone to benefit because there is a need for alternative energy everywhere.
She pointed out that the countries in this region have understood that dependence on Russian oil and gas is extremely bad and there is convergence in the interest that exists in diversifying sources of supply, even as we work on the transition to green energy.
"We have supported the idea of the Euro-Asian Electricity Interconnector, other projects like the one we want to see become sustainable," she said.
We are also, she added, strong supporters of the idea of the 3+1 scheme (Cyprus, Greece, Israel+USA).
She also pointed out that on Monday he visited Ankara with a delegation and that the strong feeling she got is that Turkey is also seeking to diversify the sources of energy supply.
"So maybe there's an opportunity in what we need to develop and that we need to keep talking about," she said.
Mrs. Nuland also referred to the cooperation between Cyprus and the USA in the fields of culture, science and people-to-people contacts.
She said she had a meeting yesterday with a group of young people from the two communities working separately and together on bi-communal issues, noting that this is encouraging and the US is very proud to support these efforts.
CNA
