Filenews 17 October 2021 - by Andreas Pibishis
The upgrading of relations and the expansion of cooperation between Cyprus and Israel is a continuous process and Oren Anoliko aims to work towards this direction. He clearly states that "there is always room for improvement".
In his first interview, since taking office, Israel's new ambassador speaks exclusively to "F" about the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and the areas in which the two countries could further develop cooperation between them. One of the issues that has recently entered the sphere of discussions and analyses – as far as bilateral relations are concerned – is the possibility of strengthening Cyprus' defence capability by acquiring Israeli assets. We asked Oren Anoliko whether, in the context of the cooperation between the two countries on defence/security issues, Israel could help Cyprus upgrade its defence capability.
After making it clear that "Cyprus has its own policy on defence and security issues" as well as "Israel has its own", he said that his country "is able to help other countries strengthen their defence power, providing know-how and technology, training and defence equipment". He noted that Israel can share its experiences with other states, and "Cyprus is a friendly country with which it can" share these experiences.
- I'll start with the easy ones, who is Oren Anoliko?
- I have been an Israeli diplomat for 26 years. Before Cyprus I had served in Asmara (Eritrea), Prague and Washington. This is my first appointment as Head of Diplomatic Mission. The fact that I serve as an ambassador to Cyprus is of particular importance to me. Of course I could be a basketball player - with a height of 2.0 meters (in the Foreign Ministry of Israel I have the reputation of the tallest diplomat) and with fluency in basketball - but I am a professional diplomat (laughs).
- Many say that the relations between the two countries are at their best than they ever were. The question is, how much room is there for further improvement?
- A clear answer is that there is always room for improvement. First of all, it is very good that people take relations between the two countries for granted. I do not take it for granted. The development of our bilateral relations is the result of strategic changes in the region, but also of hard work on both sides. It did not happen miraculously or accidentally. The good relations between our two countries were the result of hard work. There have, of course, been difficult times in the course of the development of these relations. And I do not take where we are today as a given. It's an ongoing process, it's a continuous journey. First of all, we need to work to preserve what we have managed to preserve. There is a lot we can do. For example, in the tourism sector, which is an important source of income in both Cyprus and Israel, we could promote joint tourist packages that will offer tourists the opportunity to combine their trip with a visit to both countries. There is a lot that can be connected and we need to move from design to practice.
In the field of energy, the conditions are such that they allow us to move on to the next stage, from that of agreement and expectations, to the implementation stage. It is important for both countries. Much can still be done in the business sector, in the field of renewable energy sources, the environment, etc. There are still ideas on how to further improve the relations between the two countries in the field of security and defence: with more military exercises, exchange of know-how and supply of defence systems to Cyprus. The range of issues we can work with is wide. And the political will to do more is there. It's a matter of how goodwill translates into deeds.
- The strengthening of bilateral relations began on the occasion of the discovery of natural gas in the region. People have heard a lot about the EastMed pipeline, but they haven't seen anything yet. That is why there is a question mark over whether this project will eventually be implemented.
- What I can say is that Israel remains committed to the goal. We have signed an agreement and we want it to be implemented. EastMed is a complex project with many aspects. One of these aspects is political will, and that is there. There are also political, economic and technical issues that need to be resolved. The work is progressing, work continues. And as I said, we are committed to this work. We want to see it implemented because the benefits will be many for Israel, Cyprus and the region in general.
- However, we see reactions from other players in the region who are signalling that nothing can be achieved without their own involvement or approval. And in response they cause some problems in the eastern Mediterranean.
- We do not like any expression of aggression by anyone in the area. We are firmly convinced that any confrontations and differences can be resolved through negotiations and discussions. That is our position. We are concerned about this aggression and emphatically state that we would like it to end.
- It began a bilateral cooperation between Cyprus and Israel, proceeded to a trilateral level with Greece and then we had the participation of the United States. How does this cooperation affect the region?
- Trilateral cooperation (Cyprus, Israel, Greece) in itself is extremely important. It is a scheme for joint actions and actions. In addition, it is a platform that can connect the EU, Israel and the Arab states. Such an interconnection was considered almost unlikely a few years ago, but today it is a reality. If we look at it from a historical point of view it is something unprecedented.
There were periods when Cyprus and Greece had their backs turned on the Middle East and looked only towards Europe, the Arab states displayed a hostile attitude and Israel was isolated from its surroundings.
Today, we see these three entities approaching each other and discussing what they can do together for the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean, the environment, climate change, the economy, technology, investment, etc. This drastic change that has taken place is not fully understood, I think, not even by those involved themselves. I believe that it plays a catalytic role in the geostrategic image of the region. It is not something that is directed against anyone, it works with a positive agenda and we will be happy to welcome others.
The willingness of the US and the positive way it has seen this cooperation sends a clear message: that the most powerful country in the world sees this development as something important. Meetings have already taken place at both high level and working group level with a view to achieving common benefit. The next meeting of the working group on Food Safety will soon take place.
- In the context of the cooperation between the two countries in the field of security and defence, how can Israel help Cyprus upgrade its defence capability?
- Cyprus has its own defence and security policy, which it determines itself. Israel has its own policy regarding the security of the country.
Israel is able to help other countries strengthen their defence power by providing know-how and technology, training and defence equipment.
Our policy is that only we are responsible for defending our country against our enemies. We want to be sure that we, as Israel, have the strength, the know-how, the education and everything that is needed to protect ourselves.
As each country has its own policy and strategy, all we can do is share our experiences with other states. Cyprus is a friendly country with which we can do so.
Bilateral relations have been institutionalised
- You said that nothing can be taken for granted. How deeply have the relations between the two countries taken root so that they are not affected by any changes, for example, the change of government?
- But we have recently had a change of government in Israel, and relations between the two countries have not changed at all. Our relations remain very friendly and warm, even on a personal level between ministers and the leaders of the two countries.
We are in a very good place and bilateral relations have been institutionalised. They concern not only at the political level, but also about many others. Businessmen, academics, scientists, tourists, there are so many that connect the two countries.
Speaking from our side, I can assure you that there is no party in the Israeli Parliament that does not want to have good relations with Cyprus and good relations in our neighbourhood.
The fact that we want to have very good relations with Cyprus has nothing to do with, nor does it depend on the relations we may have or develop with other countries in the region.
- So it's not the story of my enemy's friend and my friend's enemy?
- I will definitely say "definitely not".
Iran is a damaging factor in the region
- Someone when referring to the Middle East his mind goes to conflicts and wars. Talking about peace and cooperation is something completely unprecedented.
- I'm not trying to make an image that presents it all as rosy. The Middle East continues to be a very difficult region. There are very negative players in the region with Iran at the top of the list, and its satellites are Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen, etc. Clearly not everything is rosy. Despite all the challenges we have to face, there are also the countries that are working and pursuing positive developments and with which we are working together in areas of common interest.
At the same time, yes, we need to address those challenges that concern issues of the utmost security.
Iran is a damaging factor in the region, a very negative element working to advance a disastrous agenda. And we have seen this with his actions to develop his nuclear programme, with the encouragement of terrorist actions, with financial support and the supply of weapons to terrorist organisations in the region. We are forced to live between the two poles. Between the threat on the one hand and the other, the opportunity that is offered.
- As far as Iran is concerned, Israel's positions are well known. Do you think that Europe and other countries agree with you on the Iranian threat?
- I believe that many countries in Europe, the United States and other countries, are aware of the dangers that come from Iran. Studying the data, there aren't big differences in how everyone perceives how dangerous things are.
There are disagreements about how to deal with this situation. They are the ones who believe that it is only through talks and only by peaceful means that the Iranian regime can be persuaded to change its behaviour. And there are those who believe that it should be possible to use further measures to avoid the Iranian threat.
Israel is not against the negotiation process with Iran. However, we believe that it is necessary in our toolbox to have various instruments which can be used accordingly.
- The countries of the region discuss from issues such as climate change to terrorism, etc. Is there cooperation on all these issues?
- Naturally. For example, two conferences on climate change were held in Cyprus this week, in which, in addition to Israeli academics and scientists, the Special Envoy of Israel for Climate Change and Sustainability participated. There is close cooperation between the meteorological services of the two states. Information shall be exchanged between the competent services in the field of combating terrorism where necessary.
In Israel we have been faced with a very serious problem, with regard to illegal immigration, and we have managed in our own way to eliminate it. We can share this know-how with other countries facing similar problems.
- It is already known that you have relations with Cyprus.
- We have as a family, on my wife's side, ties with Cyprus. In fact, the ties are twofold. Historically they relate to my wife's father. My father-in-law, Alexander Livne, was in Cyprus in 1947 as a prisoner in the British Jewish detention camps. His family came from Romania, and they managed to survive the Holocaust. After the end of the war, his father urged him to emigrate to the then-British-administered emerging state of Israel. A large group of teenagers had gathered from various parts of Europe to Bulgaria, from where they sailed to Israel. The British Navy, however, stopped the course of the ship, which was forwarded to Cyprus. They lived many months in the camp, under difficult conditions, but his memories from the island were not negative. Because, as he later told us, the young prisoners felt at the time as if they were in a summer camp.
The second link is even more important. My wife's grandfather, on her mother's side, was an Israeli diplomat. In 1950 it operated for the first time consulate General of Israel in Cyprus, which was then under British rule. The first Consul General of Israel was the father of my mother-in-law, Ierahmiel Yaron, who assumed the operation of the Consulate for a period of about two years.
In one of the many photographs that the family still has, the consulate building, located in the old town of Nicosia, near Ledra Palas, is depicted. And after 70 years, I am here as an ambassador. It's like closing a circle. Something very unusual. It is precisely this personal bond with Cyprus that gives special importance to my mission here.
"BETTER THAN I EXPECTED"
- From your meetings so far, what opinion have you formed for the Cypriots in general. Is that what you had in mind before you came?
- I had high expectations from the beginning and were not at all disproved. The truth is, as diplomatic as it may sound, that it is even better than I expected it to be. Wherever I go they welcome me warmly and the world is very open and willing to talk with me. I hear so many good words about Israel that sometimes I am forced to say "but not everything is so perfect in Israel, it is like any other country" (laughs). There are many similarities between us, we have a similar way of thinking, we are very sociable and approachable, we openly say what we think.
That's what I really like.
- So you feel at home?
- With the exception that in Cyprus you are driving on the wrong side of the road... (laughs)
There is much less traffic congestion here than in Israel. The world here is much more relaxed, while in Israel the world is more stressed out.
So, if you think about it, I feel at home with some extra advantages!
