Noble remains committed to the planning agreed for the faster development of deposits, Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides stated.

Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace, Mr Stylianides said that "the President had a meeting with a delegation of Noble Energy under the company’s Chairman Charles Davidson».

The two parties discussed in detail the cooperation between Cyprus and the company, based on the contract that was signed for the exploitation of Aphrodite block in the Cypriot EEZ.

The President was informed by the company that the confirmatory drilling will begin in June and will last for three months. "At the end of the drilling we will have much clearer picture in terms of the precise and reliable size of the deposit," he said.

"The company has confirmed its commitment to exploit the deposits in the best possible way," he added.

According to Mr. Stylianides, they also had talks about the terminal and the participation of the company and other companies and partners in the best possible development and sale of the deposits of the Cypriot EEZ.