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Joint
press release of the Ministers of Energy of Cyprus and Israel |
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The Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure and Cabinet member Eli Cohen met today, Wednesday 27 March
2024, with the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of
Cyprus, George Papanastasiou, who was on an official visit to Israel together
with high-ranking officials from his Ministry. During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the issue of cooperation in the field of energy, which holds great potential for both countries. Among other things, they agreed to strengthen the regional alliance between the two countries and to continue promoting joint energy projects, including the construction of the submarine electric cable that will connect Israel to Cyprus and from there to Europe (Great Sea Interconnector) and which will be promoted as a top priority this year. In addition, Ministers Cohen
and Papanastasiou deliberated on various initiatives for the development of
natural gas transmission infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean,
including the Cyprus Gateway initiative to transfer Israeli and regional
natural gas through Cyprus to Europe. The need to move forward
swiftly in finding a solution to the issue of the cross-border natural gas
reservoir of Aphrodite - Ishai was also discussed. Prior to the meeting, the
Ministers toured the Reading Power Station in Tel Aviv, accompanied by the
Director General of the Ministry of Energy, Yossi Dayan, and professionals
from the two Ministries and Israel’s Electricity Authority, in order to
examine the possibility of establishing the underwater electricity connection
at the site. The previous visit of the
Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou, to
Israel was in June 2023, upon assuming office, during which he focused on
promoting a series of strategic issues in the field of energy and
strengthening relations between Israel and Cyprus. Cyprus is a significant
strategic partner of Israel with regard to regional energy connectivity,
including in the work of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum. Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure, Eli Cohen: "Cyprus is a regional ally, and cooperation in the
field of energy holds great potential opportunities for both countries.
Connecting the electricity cable from Israel to Europe through Cyprus
strengthens Israel's position in the region, has a valuable contribution to
Israel’s energy independence, and addresses the European need to diversify
energy sources in the midst of the energy crisis. The submarine power cable
will allow the State of Israel to receive backup from the European power grid
in times of emergency. I thank Cyprus for its great support of Israel during
the war." The Minister of Energy, Commerce and
Industry of Cyprus, George Papanastasiou: "Cyprus and Israel share a
vision for the Eastern Mediterranean with the countries looking at energy as
a sector that can facilitate peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
As such, I would like to thank Minister Cohen and his team for the
hospitality and for the opportunity to meet in person and advance our energy
cooperation, with a focus on the areas of electricity and natural gas. Inter
alia, our productive discussions centred on finding tangible ways to ensure
close coordination for the promotion and timely completion of the Great Sea
Interconnector, which connects the electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus and
Greece. We also reaffirmed our determination to reach soon an agreement for
the Aphrodite – Ishai issue, as well as to cooperate in developing the
natural gas resources in the two countries’ EEZs, taking advantage of
synergies in infrastructure. In this context, Cyprus could serve as a natural
gas gateway to European markets, part of the reliable East Med energy
corridor we are jointly working to create with an eye to diversifying sources
and routes." (GA) |
