In the 1980s and 1990s, Israel had closer ties with Turkey, and Cyprus, like Greece, had one of the worst relations with Israel in the EU. Gradually, however, relations began to improve in 1993, and bilateral agreements and formal and reciprocal meetings resulted in developing mutual relations. (Map quoted from Yahoo's image)
In 2010, the agreement on an economic zone in territorial waters between Israel and Cyprus, as well as the sharing of common resources, was another step in developing relations. In 2012, the Israeli Prime Minister made his first visit to Cyprus. Now, the Israel- Cyprus relationships are probably at its best level in history. Many in Israel consider Cyprus to be Israel's most predictable neighbor, and many in Nicosia describe Israel as Cyprus' most reliable ally.
In this regard, the establishment of a friendship group between Cyprus and Israel in the parliaments is important for the continuation of cooperation. A military exercise was held between Israel and Cyprus in October 2011 and then their cooperation expanded in the following years. Joint military training, deployment of military affiliates, strengthening naval relations, cooperation to conduct more effective joint operations, joint training programs, information exchange and cyber security, regular meetings of military officials, etc. are important parts of the two countries' cooperation.
In recent years, further cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, tourism and investment, the formation of the Cyprus-Israel Business Association in 2008, plans to build the world's longest submarine power cable, Israeli liquefied natural gas (LNG) import program Has increased the scope of economic cooperation in Cyprus.
In fact, Cyprus can act as a gateway for export of goods to the EU. Efforts to finalize a 'green passport' agreement between the two countries could also help the tourism sector.
The Mediterranean Sea is relatively high risk in terms of territorial waters limitation and the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone. Meanwhile, the cooperation of Cyprus and Israel in the field of natural gas and oil and gas extraction and joint use has brought the two countries closer together. Meanwhile, although Turkey does not accept the authority of the Cypriot government to sign an agreement with Israel, the differences between the two sides with Turkey are reasons and incentives for cooperation.
In addition, the three countries of Cyprus, Israel and Greece are actually considering an agreement to form an energy triangle to build a € 6 billion pipeline in the eastern Mediterranean. In fact, from 2019, Greece, Cyprus and Israel pursued negotiations between them for the transfer of gas to Europe and then the signing of the construction of a submarine pipeline for the transfer of gas from the eastern Mediterranean.
By 2025, they plan to carry out the project to transport gas to Europe from the coasts of Israel to Cyprus and Greece and Europe. In addition, they are also considering the formation of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum with the participation of both parties and other actors.
The development of regional and international cooperation and the intensification of consultations and coordination over common interests is another important dimension of the development of cooperation between them. For Israel, Greece, as a member of the European Union, could be crucial to getting closer to Brussels. Participation against Turkish influence in the Mediterranean under the name of 'Neo-Ottoman' is another dimension of cooperation. There is also the '7 + 3' alliance (seven Mediterranean countries plus the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain) against Ankara's efforts.
Farzad Ramezani Bonesh
Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs
