The revival of Cyprus-Greece-Israel trilateral frameworks highlighted the strong strategic framework governing relations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Similar to 2018 when the US joined via 3+1 format, enhancing cooperation, Cyprus, Israel, and Greece reaffirmed their role as stability factors in the region.
President Nikos Christodoulides met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bilaterally on Monday in Jerusalem, addressing Aphrodite-Yishai gas field management, Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) Cyprus-Israel segment progress, and Turkey’s regional actions, per CNA sources. Nicosia deems this Christodoulides-Netanyahu meeting highly significant ahead of the Cyprus-Greece-Israel Trilateral Summit.
Nikos Christodoulides, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Benjamin Netanyahu laid foundations for key geopolitical issues, sending messages of peaceful coexistence to other regional states. Key outcomes elevated the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aligned with energy planning.
Bilateral energy and security talks
The Christodoulides-Netanyahu meeting covered military equipment procurement from Israel – three key National Guard systems – joint exercises, and Israeli-Cypriot firm collaborations for EU SAFE programme funding.
Sources noted intent to resolve Aphrodite-Yishai issues by late January, with Cyprus’s final comments submitted last week. Extensive GSI discussions did not rule out starting the shorter Cyprus-Israel leg, needing less time and funds. Netanyahu will raise this with US President Donald Trump on December 29 White House visit, linking to IMEC’s Cyprus-Israel-Jordan-Saudi Arabia-India network. Christodoulides proposed Lebanon inclusion.
Leaders discussed Lebanon, Syria, Iran extensively. Netanyahu voiced concerns over Turkey’s involvement, including Muslim Brotherhood support – seen as dangerous by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon. Sources tied his “empire restoration dreamers” remark to Turkey, matching Nicosia-Cairo views amid Turkey’s Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ sabotage via Hezbollah and Syria control efforts.
Netanyahu sought Cyprus EU Presidency aid to improve Israel’s European image and join its Cyprus-based EU fire safety centre.
Trilateral strategic framework
In security, counter-terrorism, maritime cooperation, leaders committed to bolstering trilateral efforts in security, defence, military domains. Cyprus highlights: Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (MCCE) launch in 2026; Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station for enhanced fire preparedness.
The summit, first leaders’ meeting since Nicosia’s 9th pre-October 7 attacks, reaffirms framework on energy, economy, defence, cybersecurity, maritime security, civil protection and crisis management. It signals 3+1 revival, US Congress support for anti-terrorism as well as maritime security.
Timing proves crucial for Cyprus pre-EU Council Presidency, positioning it as reliable partner, security pillar, EU bridge to Eastern Mediterranean priorities in energy, connectivity, security, resilience. Momentum from November 26 Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ deal boosts regional energy security.
Energy and Gaza commitments
Leaders expressed resolve for joint energy projects – natural gas, electrical links like GSI, Cyprus-Crete (extendable to Israel), renewables – under international law, UNCLOS, respecting EEZ/continental shelf rights.
“We express strong commitment to Great Sea Interconnector, agree to promote it. We will advance IMEC regional connectivity via regular working groups.”
Cyprus as EU hub for logistics via CYCLOPS, Amalthea corridor delivering 30,000 tonnes aid. Joint statement praises Cyprus-Greece contributions per UNSC 2720; supports Trump’s 20-Point Plan (UNSC 2803), demands hostage Ran Gvili return, Hamas disarmament.
2026 targets: MCCE, emergency/health groups, marine pollution exercise.
Defence and stability messages
Defence cooperation at high levels bolsters energy security for key projects; leaders addressed it extensively, Israel key contributor. Reports suggest joint military mechanism for energy infrastructure protection.
Netanyahu targeted Turkey: “To all fantasising empire re-establishment over our land: forget it, won’t happen. We defend ourselves; cooperation strengthens us.”
Christodoulides called GSI a “Mediterranean energy link”; Mitsotakis: “Israel-Greece-Cyprus alliance pillars responsibility, stability in complex region – tested, resilient for Eastern Mediterranean security.”
Full joint declaration
We, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, met today in Jerusalem for the 10th Trilateral Summit among our countries.
Trilateral cooperation
We recognise our region stands at a historic juncture, with opportunity for an era of stability, prosperity, and cooperation from India via the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean to Europe. This vision for progress, security, stability, and peace rests on respect for our peoples’ shared heritage, interests, and values.
Today’s summit reaffirms our unwavering commitment to strengthen cooperation, bolstering our countries’ security and resilience for future generations. We agree to convene annual Leaders’ Summits and intensify trilateral meetings at ministerial and official levels, deepening cooperation and expanding joint initiatives.
We reaffirm the 3+1 format’s importance with the United States and invite like-minded partners to join under 3+1.
Security, counter-terrorism, maritime cooperation
To realise this vision, we affirm coordinated action against existing and emerging challenges. We agree to enhance trilateral cooperation in security, defence, and military domains. We reaffirm commitment to combat terrorism, including eliminating terror financing.
We stress maritime security’s importance and commit to deepen cooperation protecting sea lanes and critical infrastructure from threats. We welcome the Cyprus Maritime Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (MCCE) launch in 2026.
We recognise Cyprus and Greece’s significant Gaza humanitarian contributions, including the Amalthea maritime corridor coordinated with Israel and international partners per UNSC Resolution 2720.
We reiterate support for President Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan adopted by UNSC Resolution 2803, demanding immediate return of remaining Israeli hostage Ran Gvili and Hamas disarmament per the framework.
We acknowledge the US-chaired Gaza Politico-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), with Cyprus and Greece participation and Israeli facilitation, for aid and goods transfer milestones. We are determined to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians safely via coordinated channels, without misuse by malign actors.
We affirm Israel’s right to self-defence under international law and reject baseless claims against it.
Emergency response cooperation
We agree to establish a Trilateral Working Group on Preparedness and Emergency Response for rapid mutual aid in natural disasters. We welcome the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station initiative to boost regional firefighting capacities.
We will form a Health Working Group, enhancing medical institution cooperation in research, innovation, and emergency response.
We underscore extensive cooperation on environmental protection and climate change. Our authorities will initiate trilateral memoranda on water/wastewater management and climate action.
We recall the Sub-Regional Oil Pollution Emergency Plan Implementation Agreement and agree to a 2026 joint exercise on marine pollution incidents.
Energy, connectivity, regional prosperity
We confirm resolve to advance joint energy projects, including natural gas development, electrical interconnections, and renewables, based on international law including UNCLOS, respecting all states’ EEZ/continental shelf rights.
We welcomed the November 2025 3+1 Energy Ministerial in Greece with US participation, committing to Eastern Mediterranean energy security via the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Centre.
We express strong commitment to Great Sea Interconnector and agree to collaborate on its promotion.
We will advance regional connectivity projects, ongoing and future, under IMEC, including regular working groups.
Science, technology, innovation
We agree to further trilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation via joint research frameworks and improved EU Horizon programme coordination plus external funding.
We will establish an AI Working Group to explore opportunities, promote trustworthy AI in mission-critical sectors, high-performance computing, and skills development.
European, regional cooperation
We welcome Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council Presidency as chance to strengthen Southern Neighbourhood ties, including Eastern Mediterranean, boosting EU-Israel relations.
Expanding the Abraham Accords promises a safer, more prosperous region. We reaffirm commitment to extend them with US and partners.
We welcome Israel-Lebanon dialogue progress, adding economic dimension to security talks. We support Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and state monopoly on force per Lebanese Government, UNSC resolutions, and November 2024 US-mediated Israel-Lebanon agreements, paving normalisation.
We stress Jerusalem’s significance for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, recall Jewish ties to homeland, commit to Holy Sites Status Quo, and safeguard Christian Churches’ presence/heritage.
Amid global antisemitism surge, including Sydney/Manchester attacks, we affirm resolve to combat it in all forms, including Israel destruction calls and existence denial. We reiterate religious freedoms importance, including worship rights and duties.
We express full support for a just, comprehensive, sustainable Cyprus solution per international law and UNSC resolutions, reuniting the island respecting democratic principles, human rights, fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots, benefiting Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean stability.
People-to-people ties
We commit to deepen cultural, educational, academic exchanges for mutual understanding and friendship.
We agree to accelerate existing environmental education/youth exchange agreements.
We will enhance diaspora cooperation, leveraging communities’ potential to strengthen ties.
Source: Kathimerini
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