Vasilis Nedou
According to Kathimerini's Vasilis Nedou, Israel has expressed clear, albeit indirect, support for the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection project, which will extend to Israel, reaffirming its commitment to regional energy cooperation. The confirmation came during a trilateral meeting in Athens between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Beyond energy, discussions covered defense, regional security, and technology, underscoring the deepening ties between the three nations. Greece and Israel, in particular, see each other as strategic partners, with Athens serving as a key communication bridge for Israel with parties it cannot engage directly.
The trilateral relationship is further reinforced by Israel’s strategic partnership with Washington, a cornerstone of its national security. Meanwhile, all three nations view Turkey’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean as destabilizing, albeit for different reasons.
The meeting also set the stage for an upcoming trilateral summit, with a commitment to intensify high-level discussions every two months. Additionally, Greece confirmed that the European Union will be represented at the upcoming Geneva conference on the Cyprus issue.
Foreign Minister Gerapetritis emphasized the geopolitical significance of the energy project, calling it a critical link between Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East. “It will happen, and it will be completed,” he asserted, highlighting its role in ensuring energy stability for the region and beyond.
Security concerns remained central to discussions, with Minister Kombos warning against attempts by external actors to exploit security gaps for unilateral gains—an implicit reference to Turkey. Minister Sa’ar echoed this sentiment, urging Europe to take a more active role in protecting minorities in Syria and closely monitoring Turkish policies.
*This article was translated and summarized from its original Greek.
