Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides met today in Israel with senior officials, briefing them about the provocative actions of Turkey in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus. Christodoulides, who is paying a working visit to the neighboring country, also noted that Turkey’s behavior targets energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Foreign Minister also discussed the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, the next Cyprus-Greece-Israel Trilateral Summit in Nicosia, as well as energy cooperation issues, including the EastMed pipeline project.
According to an announcement by the Foreign Ministry, Christodoulides had consultations with the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and was also received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. He extended to Rivlin an invitation to visit Cyprus, on behalf of President Anastasiades, it is added.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister attended a working lunch with Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister`s Office and Head of public diplomacy Michael Oren, as well as with the Energy Ministry’s Director-General Udi Adiri, who is replacing the Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.
According to the announcement, Christodoulides had the chance to brief his interlocutors extensively about Turkey’s provocative actions in Cyprus’ EEZ, underlining that this kind of behavior intends, among others, to create problems in regional and energy cooperation designs involving Eastern Mediterranean countries.
The two sides also discussed practical ways to substantially upgrade relations between Cyprus and Israel in a broad spectrum of issues, including, among others, the exchange of expertise in the realm of public and digital diplomacy.
Particular emphasis was laid on the forthcoming 4th Cyprus-Greece-Israel Trilateral Summit, to be held on May 8, in Nicosia. In this framework, the two sides confirmed their commitment to the strategic importance of the Cyprus-Israeli cooperation, acknowledging its comparative advantage in expanding cooperation throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region, in addressing common challenges and in achieving common goals.
They also exchanged views about ongoing regional developments and the next steps in the framework of energy cooperation, including the EastMed pipeline prospects and cooperation among countries that are energy producers.
According to the Foreign Ministry announcement, the two sides noted the dynamics generated by their “reliable and honest relationship”, based on common goals and democratic principles that highlight the role of both countries as pillars of stability and security in the region.
The latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue, the prospects of resuming peace efforts in the Middle East and potential ways of promoting a positive EU-Israel agenda, were an important part of discussions, it is noted.
The Foreign Minister of Cyprus was received finally by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. The Patriarch decorated Christodoulides with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Christodoulides returns to Cyprus early tomorrow.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Nicosia is currently developing natural resources discovered within the Republic’s exclusive economic zone. Last month, Turkish warships blocked twice a vessel bound for drilling activities in Cyprus’ EEZ block 3 on behalf of Italian energy company ENI.