Cyprus and Israel together “have been writing a new bold chapter in their relations in recent years”, President Nicos Anastasiades told members of the American Jewish Committee in Chicago as regards “our mutually beneficial partnership.”
“The exchange of high level meetings, most recently in June by myself in Israel and in July by Prime Minister Netanyahu in Cyprus, is merely the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “We are two countries in a turbulent yet important neighbourhood that faces many common challenges. For Israel, Cyprus is a stable, predictable and reliable partner and vice-versa”.
He said the discovery of hydrocarbons had created impetus in bilateral relations which had opened new horizons in regional cooperation.
“This translates into much needed energy security, diversification, and exports for both countries,” Anastasiades said.
He also praised the AJC for being “instrumental in identifying and promoting the relationship with Cyprus, as well as in helping advance our relationship with Israel and the United States.”
Anastasiades also said that the strategic importance of energy cooperation between Cyprus and Israel was of particular importance to the U.S. and Europe, mainly in offering an alternative energy corridor route for the EU.
“At the same time we believe that the huge recent discovery of the Zohr natural gas field in the exclusive economic zone of Egypt enhances the prospects for further synergies in the region,” the president added.
“Energy can serve as a catalyst for stability and co-operation in our volatile region.”
He added that bilateral cooperation is not only limited to energy and security, but extends in an array of fields including tourism, economic exchanges, agriculture and high tech industries.
“In a nutshell, Cyprus and Israel are true strategic partners,” he said.
Referring to the Middle East peace process, Anastasiades said: “We hope that the ultimate goal of peace, through a mutually agreed two-state solution, will be the basis for a more stable and secure future”.
Cyprus, he added, enjoyed the trust of both sides, and was ready to facilitate their efforts in every possible way. He referred to his proposal to the President of the European Council to invite separately the two sides to a summit of the European Council to present their own point of view and vision.
“Following my personal initiative and a series of coordinated actions so as to gain the support of a number of EU member states that share the view that the EU should undertake a more proactive role in the region, the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk, visited Israel and Palestine”.
The AJC meeting also honoured a Cypriot American, Endy Zemenides, who has promoted initiatives with the Hellenic community and was instrumental in setting up the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance Caucus in Congress.
