Cyprus, Greece and Israel cooperating on security & energy

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have agreed to accelerate a long-discussed regional energy and security partnership, pledging deeper cooperation amid rising instability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking after a trilateral summit in Jerusalem with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the three nations would move forward on major energy and defense initiatives designed to safeguard regional stability and critical infrastructure.

“The Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism, and instability,” Netanyahu said. “Our partnership provides strength, clarity, and cooperation that will prevail over chaos.”

The summit marked the tenth such meeting between the three countries, whose strategic partnership has steadily expanded over the past 15 years, particularly around energy development, defense coordination, and economic ties.

At the center of the talks was the advancement of an ambitious plan to link the three nations’ electrical grids through what officials describe as an “energy highway” — the world’s longest and deepest underwater electricity cable, spanning the Mediterranean seabed and physically connecting Asia and Europe. Leaders also discussed offshore natural gas cooperation aimed at establishing a secure energy corridor to Europe and potentially to Arab states in the region.

Netanyahu said he intends to raise the project in an upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, expected to take place next week in Florida. The prime minister also confirmed that the leaders agreed to advance the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a multi-modal initiative combining maritime routes, pipelines, and digital and energy connectivity through Israel, Cyprus, and Greece.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s growing role as a regional energy hub, noting that Athens is emerging as a key gateway for liquefied natural gas into southern and eastern Europe. Cypriot President Christodoulides, speaking ahead of Cyprus assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union, said the partnership carries strategic importance “not only for our three countries, but for the region and beyond.”

Security cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, particularly in light of mounting concerns over Turkish military ambitions in the Mediterranean and heightened regional threats following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Relations between Israel and Turkey have sharply deteriorated, while Greece and Cyprus have long-standing disputes with Ankara over maritime and territorial issues.

Standing alongside his counterparts, Netanyahu issued a pointed warning aimed at regional rivals. “It is true that all of our countries were conquered in the past by a succession of empires,” he said. “But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence. To those who fantasize they can re-establish their empires and their dominion over our lands — forget it. It’s not going to happen.”

Israeli analysts say the growing trilateral alliance also reflects a shared recognition that new energy and digital infrastructure will require robust physical and cyber protection. Experts have warned that undersea cables and pipelines could become targets for sabotage by hostile state and non-state actors.

Reports ahead of the summit suggested the three countries were exploring the creation of a joint rapid-response military force in the eastern Mediterranean. While no formal announcement was made, Netanyahu confirmed that the leaders agreed “to deepen our security and defense cooperation,” stressing that the threats facing the region are real and ongoing.

“Together, we’re defending not only our own nations, but vital sea lanes and critical infrastructure that the global economy depends on,” he said.

Netanyahu also addressed Iran’s recent military exercises, warning that any hostile action against Israel would be met with a “very severe response,” and said Tehran’s nuclear activities would be discussed with President Trump.

The leaders pledged to continue holding annual summits, signaling that the Israel-Greece-Cyprus alliance is entering what officials described as a “new stage,” encompassing energy, security, technology, tourism, agriculture, and broader economic cooperation.

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