“We feel among friends”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed during the common Press conference after his meeting with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who pointed out that, beyond the two countries` geographical proximity and common history “we are also close because of our shared values, concerns and visions”.
During the Press Conference the two leaders referred to the main issues discussed in their tête-à-tête meeting and also during the talks between the delegations of the two countries.
The latest developments in the Cyprus issue, the Middle East peace process, energy, defence and security, regional developments such as Syria and the agreement on the Iranian nuclear deal and Anastasiades` initiative to invite the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders to the EU Council were on the agenda.
Netanyahu said that “we are blessed by God that there is energy under the water and we want to take it out”.
“We think that by cooperating with each other we can take it out more easily and we can market it better”, he said. He also expressed his belief that by collaborating, the two countries can make the future better for their people.
President Anastasiades stressed that the two countries are, in true sense, partners of reliability.
Thiw frequency in bilateral visits, at all levels, is indicative of the close relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Israel, and of the depth and multitude of our shared agenda, he said.
“Beyond our geographical proximity, and our common history, we are also close because of our shared values, shared concerns and shared vision. A vision which is very much linked to our joint efforts to tackle asymmetric challenges, and foster stability and security in our volatile neighborhood. We are in a true sense partners of reliability”, he said adding that the situation in our region continues to be very fluid, and rapid developments are taking place. In this context, our partnership assumes an even greater importance.
During the deliberations they had, President Anastasiades said, they exchanged views on an array of issues of concern to the two countries and to the wider region. “I had the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on the latest developments in the Cyprus settlement talks, and our efforts to find a solution that reunifies the country in a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions, High Level Agreements, and based on EU values, principles and EU law”, he said.
Regarding the Middle East Peace Process, Anastasiades noted that he reiterated the importance of restarting the dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians in order to find a solution based on the relevant UN Resolutions.
He also said that they had an in-depth discussion on the bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and Israel in a number of fields, including energy, defence and security. “In particular, we discussed in concrete terms the way forward in our energy cooperation, as well as regional prospects, such as the potential for the East-med pipeline and the possibility of the Eurasia interconnector”, he said.
President Anastasiades pointed out that with the Israeli Prime Minister they agree that exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon assets is a sovereign right that is instrumental in the wider regional context and as part of a reciprocally beneficial relationship. In this context, he added, the security angle of energy assets was part in our discussion.
They also discussed the recent regional developments, such as Syria and the agreement on the Iranian nuclear deal and its wider implications for the region. “The Republic of Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union, has expressed the hope that this deal will help generate stability in the wider neighborhood and accordingly assist in addressing the valid security concerns of the State of Israel. This is obviously of imperative importance in the implementation road ahead. Due vigilance of all steps is an utmost necessity”, he stated.
Anastasiades said that they also discussed practical ways of improving our national capabilities in a collaborative manner, against the multitude of asymmetric threats to the security of our countries and they reviewed some key aspects of EU – Israel relations, and agreed on the value of moving ahead with a constructive and pragmatic approach.
Anastasiades briefed Netanyahu on his discussions with President Tusk and the EU High Representative, Mogherini regarding his initiative to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as Palestinian Authority President Abbas, to one of our upcoming European Councils.
Furthermore, he went on to say, “we touched upon the trilateral mechanisms that we have set in motion, which aim at fostering regional cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The latest move by our friend Matteo Renzi is very well welcomed and I think it is an initiative at the proper moment and time to see how we are facing as Europeans the stability and security in our region and in Europe as well”, he added.
Cyprus President said that he had the opportunity to discuss the trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Israel and Greece yesterday in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Tsipras, who expressed his commitment and readiness to further develop our trilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and of the region.
“These trilateral mechanisms are not directed against any country in the region, to the contrary, they aim to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and synergies among countries in the Eastern Mediterranean”, he stressed.
We feel among friends and there is a reason for that, Netanyahu said.
There is a real closeness which goes well beyond geographic proximity. These are two democracies, Israel and Cyprus in the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, and we are very proud of our heritage and our history, Netanyahu said stressing that we are two modern countries that embrace the future with all its challenges, but with all its exciting possibilities.
“We believe that by collaborating we can actually make that future better for both our peoples and both our countries”, Netanyahu said, adding that there is energy in the relationship of the two countries both literally and metaphorically. He said that we have been blessed by God because there are energy resources under the water, which we want to take it out. “We think that by cooperating with each other we can take it out more easily, we can market it better”, he said, stressing that this is something that the two countries are discussing very intensively.
Netanyahu then referred to the cooperation in the field of economy and tourism, by saying that they want to increase tourism, investments and economic activities in both ways. “I think that this is again something beneficial to both our peoples”, he added.
On the issue of security, Netanyahu said that we are faced with a very unstable world that presents new dangers which come primarily from militant to Islam, either led by radical Shiites headed by Iran or led by radical Sunnis at the moment headed by ISIS. “They are expressed in many weapons and many attacks, but the most prevalent one that concerns Cyprus and Europe is of course the terrorism that emanates from these areas”, he said.
The Prime Minister of Israel stressed that “we want to achieve peace and peace is depended on security and ultimately if you don`t have the capacity to defend the peace, it will collapse very rapidly in our area”. He added, however, that the peace also depends to willingness of parties to talk to one another.
Netanyahu noted that Israel and Cyprus both face difficult problems and “we both hope for the best, and for the success of your efforts to achieve peace with your neighbours and our efforts to achieve peace with our Palestinian neighbours”.
He said he welcomes the opportunity to present the Israel`s position to the EU, stressing that President`s Anastasiades initiative is worthwhile. “We seek also a world that would enables people to live in dignity, peace and prosperity and in freedom”, he concluded.