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President Nikos Christodoulides’ upcoming visit to Israel on May 4 comes at a critical time for the Eastern Mediterranean, with energy disputes, shifting alliances, and ongoing conflicts shaping the region’s future. While the trip is officially focused on strengthening Cyprus-Israel ties, it also carries significant geopolitical weight, sending signals to Turkey, the U.S., and the broader international community.
One of the key issues on the agenda is the long-delayed co-development agreement for the Aphrodite gas field, which straddles the maritime borders of Cyprus and Israel. Despite the two countries’ close relations, disagreements over how to share the gas have stalled progress for over a decade. With Chevron now ready to move forward with commercial development, Nicosia is pushing to finalize a deal to avoid further delays. A Cypriot Energy Ministry delegation is set to visit Israel in May, fueling hopes that negotiations are finally advancing.
However, the timing of Christodoulides’ visit is delicate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense international scrutiny over the war in Gaza, with European and global leaders condemning his handling of the crisis. The visit is already drawing criticism, particularly from Palestinian representatives and domestic opposition parties in Cyprus, including AKEL, who argue it risks damaging Cyprus’ long-standing support for Palestinian rights. The Palestinian Embassy in Nicosia has already voiced disappointment over Cyprus’ recent abstention from a UN Human Rights Council vote on the situation in Gaza.
Beyond energy and diplomacy, regional security is also in focus. Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria last December, Turkey and Israel have found themselves in growing competition for influence in the region, adding a new layer of complexity to the Eastern Mediterranean’s power balance. By aligning closely with Israel, Nicosia is not only strengthening its defense and energy partnerships but also subtly pushing back against Turkey’s regional ambitions.
At the same time, U.S. policy under Donald Trump looms large. Trump’s close relationship with Netanyahu and his previous policies in the Middle East raise questions about how Washington will balance its ties with both Israel and Turkey in the evolving regional landscape. Cyprus, caught in the middle, is carefully positioning itself as a stable and reliable partner in an increasingly volatile region.
For Christodoulides, the trip represents a high-stakes balancing act. While he aims to secure energy deals and strengthen Cyprus-Israel relations, he must also navigate domestic and international criticism—all while ensuring Cyprus maintains its diplomatic credibility on the Palestinian issue.
With political tensions rising in Europe over Israel’s actions, how Cyprus positions itself in the coming months could have lasting implications, not only for its foreign relations but also for its role in the broader Eastern Mediterranean.
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