Officials said Nicosia would conduct a second licensing round for
offshore crude oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, Middle East Newsline reported.
They said the round for the exploration of two blocks could be launched by 2011.
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"Preparations from our side are being conducted," Cypriot Industry
Minister Antonis Paschalides said. "We are proceeding with all the surveys
and work. I believe we are near the end phase."
In 2007, Nicosia awarded 11 offshore energy blocks to the U.S. firm
Noble Energy. Ankara has threatened to block energy exploration by the Greek
Cypriot republic.