Israel and Cyprus have reached an understanding over gas reserves on the maritime border, a key step towards resolving a nine-year stalemate in offshore production, AP reported.

The development of the Aphrodite gas field in Cypriot waters has been suspended because a small part of it extends to the offshore zone of Israel. The field was first discovered in 2011.

Cyprus Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said that she and her Israeli counterpart Yuval Steinitz have agreed on a framework for solving the problem, and the recommendations will be passed on to the companies involved in the project.

Gas reserves at the Aphrodite field are estimated at 4.1 trillion cubic feet. 

Cyprus, Israel, and Greece on Monday signed an agreement to build an underwater electrical cable that will run across the Mediterranean and connect their electrical grids.