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By Dr. Andrestinos N. Papadopoulos, Ambassador a.h.
The visit of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Cyprus was the jewel in the crown of the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel and an indirect answer to Turkish threats against Cyprus in connection with its sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic. As stated by Netanyahu himself, after the talks with President Christofias, he “came here to develop bilateral ties, economic ties in the field of energy.” The main issue of the talks was the future co-operation in the field of energy, and in particular the gas-sharing and exploitation of reserves, which fall on the maritime boundary between them (unitisation agreement). The political will for co-operation was, therefore, confirmed at the highest level.
If the visit of President Simon Peres, last November, was aimed at showing how good the Cyprus-Israeli relations are, the visit by Netanyahu, the one who takes the decisions, carries particular weight, as it gives concrete substance to the co-operation, by encouraging the two sides to plan their national energy policy. That covers, inter alia, joint exploitation of gas, export destinations (Europe-Asia), location of terminal or terminals, etc. Already two groups of experts discussed the joint exploitation of gas in the common maritime boundaries.
The Israeli Prime Minister also discussed energy issues with the President of the Democratic Rally, Nicos Anastasiades, the only party leader he met, thus recognising DISY’s contribution to the strengthening of the bilateral relations, by opening in 1993 the first ever Cyprus Embassy in Israel. Mr. Anastassiades, on this occasion, invited the Israeli Prime Minister to the Meeting of the European Popular Party, which will take place in Cyprus this December and will have as the main item on its agenda energy security.
The Cyprus-Israeli relations are influenced by developments in the region. It is of interest, therefore, to take them into account. The gradual strategic withdrawal of the United States from the region (Iraq and Afghanistan in 2014), combined with what is happening in the Arab world, after the changes brought about by the “Arab Spring”, is offering to the two main players of the region, Turkey and Israel, more independence in their actions. Turkey, seeking to strengthen her influence in the Middle East and the Arab world sided with the West and the Arab League against Assad, thus provoking the reaction of Iran, whose only ally in the region is Syria. Israel on the other hand, feeling that 2012 is a crucial year for its security, if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, seriously considers attacking Iran’s nuclear sites in the coming months. Although President Obama recently appealed to Benjamin Netanyahu to give sanctions and diplomacy more time to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel considers them as a matter of life and death. Whatever occurs in the region, it will certainly have an impact on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, including Cyprus.
Within this framework, the improvement of relations between Turkey and Israel, proposed by some, is a distant possibility, especially if we take into account the mistrust of Israel towards Turkey and her ambitions, as well as the instability which prevails in the region. If it happens, however, it will match the traditional friendly relations of Cyprus with the Arab world, which do not bother Israel. What matters is that at this moment Israel needs strategic depth and Cyprus can offer it. What strengthens, on the other hand, the relations between Cyprus and Israel is the fact that both countries have common security and energy interests which can develop into a mutually beneficial partnership of outmost importance and magnitude. It augers well, that this is what is sought after by both countries.
