Cyprus Mail 4 September 2023 - by Jonathan Shkurko
Following three-way talks at the presidential palace, President Nikos Christodoulides, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Greece’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce their cooperation in energy.
“We agreed that the energy sector, and in particular, natural gas, electricity and renewable energy, is a solid foundation for cooperation in the region, based on international law including the law of the sea and the respect of all states to exercise their rights in their respective Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” a joint statement said.
“In light of the growing need for energy diversification and interconnectivity, due to the geopolitical developments, we reaffirmed the common interest to advance prospects for a reliable energy corridor from the Eastern Mediterranean basin to Europe.”
Christodoulides, Netanyahu and Mitsotakis discussed the importance of further promoting projects such as the EuroAsia Interconnector, and possible future natural gas and hydrogen pipelines.
Furthermore, after the recent devastating wildfires in Greece, the three reaffirmed the mutual commitment to assist each other in responding to emergencies.
“We also underlined the value of the 3+1 format with the United States which can offer tangible deliverables in the areas of energy, economy, climate action, emergency preparedness and counterterrorism,” the statement continued.
“It was agreed to work together towards holding a ministerial 3+1 meeting later this year.”
Prime Ministers Mitsotakis and Netanyahu were also briefed by Christodoulides on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and welcomed his initiative to include an enhanced EU role in the efforts to resume negotiations.
Finally, Christodoulides, Netanyahu and Mitsotakis agreed that the next trilateral summit be held next spring in Israel.
