EN 
FR 
BE-FR 
BE-NL 
DE 
NL 
ES 
IT 
SK 
HU 
DK 
SE 
November 2022
Bernd
French
Home > Greece-Cyprus-Israel Alliance: a new axis in the Eastern Mediterranean
Since the late 2000s, relations between Western countries, Israel and Turkey have become strained for several reasons. Firstly, progress in the negotiations for Turkey's entry into the EU has stalled[1]. Then, the Cypriot question is still unresolved following Turkey's categorical refusal to recognise the Greek side and to withdraw its military troops from the northern (Turkish) part of the island[2]. Finally, Turkey is increasingly turning to Palestine, which is prompting Israel to look to other countries to secure its national interests[3].
As a result of regional tensions, three countries in the Eastern Mediterranean - Greece, Cyprus and Israel - have signed important military and energy alliances[4].
Indeed, various air exercises involving the three countries, including INIOCHOS in April 2021, have taken place in Greece[5]. However, all three countries are also concerned with energy supply[6]. The gas deposits in Cypriot and Israeli waters have provided a unique opportunity not only to secure an alternative supply route to that from Russia and Turkey with the Turkish Stream pipeline, but also to reduce energy dependence on these two countries mentioned above[7]. Indeed, Cyprus, Greece and Israel have recently signed a gas pipeline project (East Med) that would link the gas fields of the Eastern Mediterranean not only to Greece, but also to Italy (!)[8]. In addition, to improve the electricity network, the three countries have resolved to build a submarine cable that would link Israel to Greece via Cyprus[9]. These trilateral projects have attracted the attention of the European Commission, which sees them as beneficial to Europe and its gas and electricity supply[10].
Of course, this alliance and its regional influence are also subject to internal and local constraints. Arab-Israeli tensions and their geopolitical consequences on the international scene have led Greece and Cyprus to maintain separate contacts with certain neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon, Palestine, as well as Egypt and Jordan[11]. However, the Abraham Accords, as well as the PHILIA Forum and the Paphos Summit, gave the Trilateral Alliance the opportunity to increase its geopolitical network in Europe as well as in the Middle East (Gulf Arab countries)[12].
Given their geographical location and potential as an East-West Mediterranean energy corridor, the Greece-Cyprus-Israel alliance can provide the West with a new geopolitical tool, and even become a new key player on the international scene in the Eastern Mediterranean. Indeed, the alliance's initiatives are not only supported by EU member states such as France and Italy, but are also attracting attention and interest on the other side of the Atlantic (USA).[13].
© 2022 All rights reserved by BRAUN
[1] "EU enlargement: Ankara's membership chances 'stalled'", The Free. URL: https://www.lalibre.be/international/europe/2020/10/06/elargissement-ue-les-chances-dadhesion-dankara-au-point-mort-VORC3CAB45EPTGOKMLL2QNVC3I/, published on 6.10.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[2] "Cyprus: Turkey calls EU criticism of Erdogan "null and void"", Euractiv. URL: https://www.euractiv.fr/section/l-europe-dans-le-monde/news/chypre-la-turquie-qualifie-les-critiques-derdogan-par-lue-de-nulles-et-non-avenues/, published on 21.07.2021; COUTARD, Charlotte, "Cyprus, the island eternally cut in two", France Inter. URL: https://www.franceinter.fr/monde/reunification-de-chypre-l-ile-reste-coupee-en-deux-apres-le-nouvel-echec-des-negociations, published on 7.07.2017, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[3] "The shadow of Hamas weakens the relationship between Israel and Turkey", Arab News. URL: https://www.arabnews.fr/node/10256/monde-arabe, published on 28.08.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[4] COLLIOPOULOU, Hélène, "Greece, Cyprus and Israel sign an agreement on the Eastmed gas pipeline on Thursday", The Free. URL: https://www.lalibre.be/dernieres-depeches/afp/2020/01/02/la-grece-chypre-et-israel-signent-jeudi-un-accord-sur-le-gazoduc-eastmed-4IHZIJQMCJH4RHOE277IOKCNVQ/, published on 02.01.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[5] "Israeli pilot: We conducted high-quality exercise in Greece, Greek City Times. URL: https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/04/22/israeli-pilot-exercise-greece/, published on 22.04.2021, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[6] "The EastMed gas pipeline project signed between Greece, Israel and Cyprus on 2 January", Times of Israel. URL: https://fr.timesofisrael.com/le-projet-de-gazoduc-eastmed-signe-entre-la-grece-israel-et-chypre-le-2-janvier/, published on 23.12.2019, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[7] "Greece, Cyprus, Israel Sign EastMed Gas Pipeline Deal To Ease Reliance On Russia", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. URL: https://www.rferl.org/a/greece-cyprus-israel-eastmed-gas-pipeline-russia-ukraine/30358166.html, published on 3.01.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[8] "Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Italy collaborate on the East-Med Gas Pipeline to Europe", Israel Valley. URL: https://israelvalley.com/2020/07/18/israel-grece-chypre-italie-collaborent-sur-le-gazoduc-east-med-vers-leurope/, published on 18.07.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[9] FOTIADIS, Alexandros, KARAOULANIS, Theodore, "Greece, Cyprus and Israel sign trilateral agreement to build submarine cable", Euractiv. URL: https://www.euractiv.fr/section/energie/news/la-grece-chypre-et-israel-signent-un-accord-trilateral-pour-la-construction-dun-cable-sous-marin/, published on 9.03.2021, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[10] MICHALOPOULOS, Sarantis, "EU welcomes agreement to build Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline", Euractiv. URL: https://www.euractiv.fr/section/energie/news/eu-welcomes-eastmed-deal-but-highlights-further-cost-benefit-analysis/, published on 3.01.2020, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[11] AMSELLEM, David, "Eastern Mediterranean: Water in the Gas? Foreign policy, n° 4, 2016, §§ 8-9. URL: https://www.cairn.info/revue-politique-etrangere-2016-4-page-61.htm ; "Greece, Cyprus and Jordan want a "fair settlement of the Cyprus problem", Arab News.URL: https://www.arabnews.fr/node/123651/monde-arabe, published on 28.07.2021, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[12] ATHANASOPOULOS, Angelos, "Cyprus meeting, Riyadh visit latest examples of regional coalitions coming together", Arab News. URL: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1844766/middle-east, published on 18.04. 2021; KEINON, Herb, "Israel, UAE, Greece, Cyprus summit sends message to Turkey - analysis", Jerusalem Post. URL: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-uae-greece-cyprus-summit-points-message-at-turkey-analysis-665539, published on 18.04.2021, accessed on 22.09.2021.
[13]KOKKINIDISTasos, "US Senator Menendez Visits Greece to Affirm Strategic Relationship", Greek Reporter. URL: https://greekreporter.com/2021/08/26/menendez-visits-greece-affirm-strategic-relationship/, published on 26.08.2021, accessed on 22.09.2021.
