trump involvement — trump involvement — Energy Minister Michael Damianos is delighted that United States President Donald Trump has taken a keen interest in energy production in the region around Cyprus. In a recent interview with American news website Breitbart, Damianos expressed his belief that Trump’s involvement is vital for the progress of energy initiatives in the area.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
“I believe that President Trump’s involvement in this is vital, and I think the mark is there already, and we are delighted that we’re able to work with this administration,” he stated. Damianos underscored that without Trump’s support, the current energy landscape might look significantly different.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
The Cypriot government views US involvement as fundamental for the region’s energy security. Damianos highlighted a trip he made to the US last month, emphasising that Cyprus aims to be a reliable partner for the US. “The US can rely on us. We are an EU country, a small country, a democratic country in the area that can support the interests of our partners,” he said.
Damianos affirmed Cyprus’s commitment to aligning with Trump’s agenda, stating, “We support the initiatives, we like what we see, and we hope that this is going to be proceeding, and we’re going to further our relationship as far as we can.” He also referred to the “3+1” format of diplomatic discussions between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the US, labelling it critical for both energy production and regional security.
Emphasising Cyprus’s strategy, he noted the importance of exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, which is advancing rapidly. “Essentially, what we’re putting forward is our position with respect to Cyprus’ strategy on energy,” he explained. He positioned Israel and Greece as vital partners in this cooperative effort, asserting that their collaboration enhances both energy security and regional stability.
During his visit to the US, Damianos conveyed a clear message: Cyprus is eager to proceed with the exploration of its hydrocarbons, boasting significant reserves of natural gas off the island’s coast. He noted that US oil giants, Chevron and ExxonMobil, are already collaborating with the Cypriot government in this endeavour. Chevron operates Block 12, which contains the Aphrodite gas field, while ExxonMobil handles Block 10, which has the Pegasus and Glaucus gas fields.
While progress towards extraction is ongoing, Damianos acknowledged that no final investment decisions have been made yet. He reiterated the importance of US involvement, not only from a policy perspective but also through technical assistance, which he described as crucial for energy security. “It will provide both assistance in getting the gas out, but also ensuring that we know what to do with it,” he added.
Regarding the future of the natural gas extracted, Damianos mentioned that Cyprus plans to export over 99 per cent of its production. This strategy aims to bolster regional stability and security in the eastern Mediterranean through secure gas supplies. A portion of the gas will be transported to Egypt for liquefaction before being exported to Europe, a move that he believes will enhance stability within the European market.
Looking ahead, Damianos expects significant gas production between 2028 and the next two decades, positioning Cyprus as a key player in regional stability with the support of its partners, particularly the US. He emphasised the importance of the 3+1 partnership in this context, which he believes will facilitate progress in energy production and security.
The interview with Damianos was shared by Trump on his platform, “Truth Social”, underscoring the significance of this dialogue around energy in the eastern Mediterranean. As Cyprus continues to develop its energy sector, the collaboration with the US and other regional players appears to be a central theme in its strategy moving forward.
