Berri in Cyprus: Our Sea Resources Dispute is with Israel
Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday said Lebanon had concerns Israel might deny it “its right to more than 850 nautical square kilometers” in maritime resources, stressing that “the problem is not between Lebanon and Cyprus, but rather between Lebanon and Israel.”
During a joint press conference with his Cypriot counterpart Yiannakis Omirou in Cyprus, where he arrived Wednesday on an official visit, Berri said “the U.N. has recently become convinced that it has to intervene in order to resolve this issue,” referring to the disputed oil and gas resources.
“The problem is not between Lebanon and Cyprus, but rather between Lebanon and Israel, and all that we fear is that Israel might take advantage of the tensions concerning the issue of Turkey in order to exploit the situation and deny Lebanon its right to more than 850 nautical square kilometers,” Berri added.
The speaker noted that he will follow up on the issue with Cyprus’ ministers of foreign affairs, commerce and industry “to finalize the agreement on the exclusive economic zone, after these negotiations.”
On the other hand, Berri pointed out that “Lebanon is rich in freshwater needed by Cyprus, which is not far from the Cypriot-Lebanese maritime border and which exists at sea and can be drawn to Cyprus to meet these needs.”
“We should press our two governments to reach an urgent agreement over this issue and we’re ready as parliamentarians to ratify it,” Berri added.
Separately, Berri stressed in the name of the Lebanese parliament, government and people that “Lebanon supports Cyprus’ unity,” saying that “this has always been Lebanon’s stance at all forums.”
Asked about the period needed to finalize the agreement on the exclusive economic zone between Lebanon and Cyprus, the speaker said: “When we settle this point, the so-called Point 23, which is the 850 square kilometers I mentioned before, I can say on behalf of the parliament that we can ratify it within a period not exceeding 15 days.”
Omirou, for his part, when asked whether Cyprus was willing to consider the Lebanese request, said: “Of course there is the agreement signed between the two countries on the exclusive economic zone, and after we reach a final formula, we’re willing to engage in other agreements in this regard and to sign other agreements in order to jointly exploit this wealth.”
On January 8, Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil said Lebanon aims to invite tenders to explore for offshore gas within three months, downplaying the risk of conflict with Israel despite a dispute over the maritime border between the two countries.
"Our target is to begin within three months," Bassil told Agence France Presse.
"We now have everything required for an oil company to have enough information to begin its activities, and we are on the right track to start offshore drilling."
Bassil said Lebanon hoped to have exploration contracts with international oil companies signed and sealed by the end of the year.
He said European, U.S., Chinese and Russian firms had already shown serious interest in drilling off Lebanon's coast.
"Every big oil company has begun initial talks to explore offshore drilling and bought data to that end," he said.
Bassil played down the risk of conflict with Israel over the potential reserves, despite a longstanding dispute over the maritime boundary between the two countries, which remain technically in a state of war.
"We are working on making potential drilling a factor of stability, not a factor of conflict or instability," Bassil said.
"I believe that Israel has no interest in threatening our oil resources," he added.
"It has resources itself -- it's a balance of power, and Lebanon now has enough power to protect its own resources."
In January the Lebanese government endorsed plans to implement legislation that will clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration.
In August, parliament passed a law setting Lebanon's maritime boundary and Exclusive Economic Zone.
Lebanon has also submitted to the United Nations a maritime map that conflicts significantly with one proposed by Israel.
Lebanon argues its map is in line with an armistice accord drawn up in 1949, an agreement which is not contested by Israel.
The disputed zone consists of about 854 square kilometers, and suspected energy reserves there could generate billions of dollars.
Lebanon has been slow to exploit its maritime resources compared with other eastern Mediterranean countries. Israel, Cyprus and Turkey are all much more advanced in drilling for oil and gas.
The Hizbullah-led government has warned that Lebanon will not give up its maritime rights, while Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to defend Lebanon’s maritime resources.
Source: Naharnet
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