NICOSIA - Cyprus should carry on with plans to set up a natural gas liquidation plant, Commerce and Industry Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis said on Sunday 
"We must rely on the alliances formed with the countries of the region and to fulfill projects, which are necessary to build a natural gas pipeline from Cyprus to EU countries," he also said.
This issue was raised on December 13, 2012 by the competent EU Commissioner who had noted how important Eastern Mediterranean hydrocarbon reserves are for the EU supply, Sylikiotis said.
"Especially when bearing in mind that there is a declining supply from the North Sea," he added.
THe Minister also said said that Cyprus has submitted certain projects to the EU and is in cooperation with Greece and Israel, noting at the same time that any supplies to the EU must be in the form of liquefied natural gas.
Asked about statements made by Turkish Energy Minister that Turkey will cooperate with Qatar to build pipelines for the supply of natural gas to Europe and Greece, Sylikiotis said Qatar and Turkey have very close relations.
"As far as we are concerned, we will continue to act according to our plans, exercising our sovereign rights," he added.