The TOTAL-ENI consortium, operator of Block 6 in the Cypriot EEZ, has shown willingness to take faster steps in terms of exploitation, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry Natasa Pilides said on Saturday.

Pilides said there is a lot to be done and discussed about what the next steps will be in relation to the investment activities to be done, as well as the investment plan and the various scenarios for transporting gas to the markets.

In her remarks in the Pelathoussa area of Pafos district and asked about the meeting that President Nicos Anastasiades will have on Monday with Vice President of TOTAL Laurent Vivier, she said that the Vice President of TOTAL is also responsible for the Eastern Mediterranean region and Cyprus in particular.

"It is very important to see how we are progressing," she said, adding that "the TOTAL - ENI consortium, which is the operator of Block 6, has shown willingness to move more quickly towards exploitation."

She added that it is expected to be an interesting meeting and expressed hope that things will move faster given the opportunities presented.