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By Dr. Andrestinos N. Papadopoulos, Ambassador a.h.
The visit to Cyprus of the Israeli President Shimon Peres (2-4 November 2011) has been characterised as historic. The praise is richly deserved, as his stature as a great personality is universally recognised. Its successful conclusion acquires a political meaning of the first magnitude, since the State of Israel is considered as the most important strategic partner of Cyprus. This state of affairs has not been achieved through biological automaticity, but through conscientious efforts and favourable conjunctures, which form the foundation of the Cyprus-Israeli relations.
The opening of the Embassy of Cyprus in Tel Aviv by President Clerides in 1993 marked the beginning of a new era of closer cooperation. Frequent reciprocal visits of top officials and ministers, as well as the signing of a plethora of agreements greatly contributed to the development and deepening of the bilateral relations, whereas the breach of the relations between Turkey and Israel afforded the opportunity to redefine strategic options and explore new balances, with a view to securing stability in the region. As a result of Turkey’s new neo-ottoman goals and Prime Minister Erdogan’s conflict with the army – supporter of closer relations with Israel – a new strategic framework was created, comprising Greece, Cyprus and Israel, which offers Israel the much needed strategic depth and a friendly bridge towards Europe. Finally, the signing of the Agreement for the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Cyprus and Israel laid the foundation for a closer cooperation in the energy field, which could offer the possibility of supplying Europe with natural gas from our region, thus making the European markets less dependent on Russian gas.
Peres’s visit was significant in many ways. The strengthening of bilateral relations with Israel through agreements and cooperation, which was confirmed at the highest level by Peres’s visit, constitutes a shield for Cyprus and guarantees a more effective confrontation of the Islamic danger which is looming on the horizon. This is so, because of uncertain developments caused by the “Arab Spring” and the fact that Turkey is increasingly turning towards the Muslim world. In this respect, it should not be forgotten that Cyprus and Israel are the only non Muslim countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Time-wise, the visit acquires particular importance, as it coincided with Turkey’s threats, which aim at trampling upon Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its EEZ.
As things stand at the moment, we are entering the phase of giving substance to the intention of further strengthening the relations between the two countries. The signing of four more agreements and the planning of others is proof of this. At the same time, Cyprus offers the opportunity of playing a more active role in the Eastern Mediterranean, given the good relations it has with the Arab world. Positive relations with Israel are by no means to the detriment of relations with Cyprus’ Arab neighbours. In this respect, it should be mentioned that President Christophias visited Ramala after Tel Aviv, last March and that President Peres stated here in Nicosia that Israel wishes to have friendly relations with its Arab neighbours as Cyprus does. The same holds true in case relations between Israel and Turkey improve. Moreover, Cyprus can promote Europe’s interests in a balanced handling of issues affecting Israel’s relations with its Arab neighbours, particularly in view of its forthcoming EU presidency.
This role of Cyprus will be further strengthened through cooperation in the field of energy, which will make Cyprus an energy centre benefitting Europe. Cyprus and Israel wish to use the natural gas to promote peace in the region. Hence, their decision to establish a joint committee on their Mediterranean vision for peace and for relations between the EU and all states in the region.
Finally, concerning the Cyprus problem, closer cooperation between Cyprus and Israel will have as a consequence a more sympathetic stand of the Jewish Lobby in the States towards our problem. This is as opportunity to be grasped immediately, as it represents good support.
Concluding, we observe that Peres’s visit to Cyprus has sent, inter alia, three important messages. He called for respect of international law, which should be the prevailing decision maker. He emphatically stated that threats should be excluded from relations between states, and lastly stressed his permanent and vigorous will to upgrade the cooperation between the two countries on the basis of good will, which will benefit the whole region. In any event, Cyprus has to gain a lot from this cooperation.
