CYPGasTech 2018 CYPGasTech 2018_e-Booklet | Page 6

Inaugurate address HYDROCARBONS Service Director, Ministry of Energy, Commerce & Industry Dr. Stelios Nicolaides Your Excellencies Honourable Mayor of the City of Limassol Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen As in previous years, I once more, would like to convey my sincere and warmest thanks to the organisers, ZOMIDEA design & services ltd, for the opportunity to deliver an opening speech at the 3rd CYPGasTech 2018 International Exhibition and Conference in this beautiful city of Limassol. Undoubtedly, this venue gives Cyprus the opportunity to demonstrate its case and further elaborate the prospects and difficulties on the current developments in our region. I would like to welcome all of the distinguished guests, speakers and exhibitors that flew over to Cyprus for this Exhibition & Conference. I am sure that your valuable input will offer added value to the results of this event. I would also like to convey my appreciation to Mr Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos, the Executive Director, Public Affairs, of the International Gas Union (IGU), who has honoured us today with his presence and the support of the IGU to this Exhibition & Conference. I am sure that the Republic of Cyprus has a lot to benefit from this ongoing cooperation with an organization of this calibre. Distinguished Guests Regional cooperation is of high importance if we are to achieve our energy goals. Initiatives by Cyprus is the driving force to further regional cooperation, stability and security, thus strengthening regional Relationships. The delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus was signed with the Arab Republic of Egypt in 2003, with the Republic of Lebanon in 2007 and with the State of Israel in 2010, based on the 1/4