Cyprus

As ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum began exploratory drilling in Block 10 of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Friday, the US assistant secretary of state responsible for energy expressed Washington's "excitement" over the catalytic role the exploitation of natural energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean will have in the region's development. 

The United States sees "great promise" in developing energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean, a US state department official said Friday, as ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Petroleum began exploratory drilling off Cyprus' southwestern coast.

Cyprus's Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis talks with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon, in Nicosia, Friday.

US energy giant ExxonMobil has started exploring for oil and gas in block 10 of Cyprus's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the country's energy minister, Giorgos Lakkotrypis, said on Friday.

Washington supports Cyprus's right to develop its resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt said Thursday.

Cyprus's president says he's certain the Brexit agreement between Britain and the European Union safeguards the legal rights of all Cypriot and other Europeans living and working inside two sovereign British military bases on the east Mediterranean island nation.

As Turkey insisted again on Wednesday that it will protect what it describes as its interests in the sea area off the coast of Cyprus, a US State Department spokesperson has been quoted as saying that Washington "discourages any actions or rhetoric that increase tensions in the region."

Striker Kiril Despodov was released from the national team of Bulgaria before visiting Cyprus (November 16th) and hosting Slovenia (November 19th). The player of CSKA Sofia has an injury that will prevent him from participating in the upcoming two games of the League of Nations tournament, reports Sportal.bg

Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has rejected Turkish press reports that President Nicos Anastasiades had secretly agreed on a deal with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to divert a proposed natural gas pipeline to Turkey in exchange for a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all parties engaging in gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean not to pressure it over Ankara's own energy plans in the region, the US State Department said Washington "discourages any actions or rhetoric that increase tensions in the region."