Greece, Israel and USA expressed their full support to Cyprus’ inalienable sovereign right to exploit its energy resources, during the 1st Energy Ministerial Conference, that took place on Wednesday in Athens with the participation of Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA.

Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostis Hatzidakis, welcomed Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, Georgios Lakkotrypis, Israeli Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz, as well as US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis R. Fannon.

During their joint statements, the four Ministers expressed their common will to strengthen their cooperation in the energy and environmental fields.

Lakkotrypis expressed his satisfaction for the three countries’ full support to Cyprus against the Turkish illegal actions in the Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As he said, the Republic of Cyprus remains committed in preserving peace and stability in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean. Lakkotrypis also added that the creation of an Eastern Mediterranean gas corridor represents a common desire for all four parties, as it will provide a major energy alternative for the European Union.    

Moreover, the Cypriot Minister highlighted the importance of USA’s participation in multilateral alliances in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean, as the US presence is highly important both in terms of corporate participation and of expertise.

On his part, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostis Hatzidakis, welcomed the fact that the joint declaration of 1st Energy Ministerial Conference reflects all parties’ full support for Greece’s and Cyprus’ positions as regards energy issues, as well as for the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.

Hatzidakis also said that the four Ministers agreed to strengthen their political and technical cooperation in the energy areas of common interest, with the creation of an Expert Group which will monitor the implementation of the political decisions, as well as to accelerate the processes for the completion of EastMed agreement.

Israeli Energy Minister, Yuval Steinitz underlined that Israel supports Cyprus’ right to exploit its energy resources. He also announced that gas exports from Israel to Egypt will start in a few weeks, while stressing that the energy field can consolidate transnational cooperation. He also explained that Israel promotes the completion of the EastMed agreement, which represents a pivotal project, ensuring the region’s energy independence, as he said.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon noted that the energy field could pave the way to political stability and economic growth in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean, while expressing USA’s commitment to this cause.

He also highlighted Greece`s role as an energy bridge to the European Union, while stressing the importance of infrastructure projects such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) and the Liquefied Natural Gas Station in Revithousa.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkey announced its intention to start drilling off Cyprus and send on 4 May 2019 the Turkish drill ship “Fatih”, which remains anchored 36 nautical miles west of Akamas peninsula, in an area that falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus. A second Turkish drill ship, “Yavuz”, arrived off the island’s north-eastern coast on 8 July 2019.

In response, EU Foreign Ministers endorsed on 15 July 2019 measures concerning Turkey’s illegal drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. In accordance with the 20 June 2019 European Council conclusions, Foreign Ministers also invited the High Representative and the European Commission to continue working on options for targeted measures in light of Turkey’s continued drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.