Alpery
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Greek Cyprus, Israel draw closer for cooperation, raising questions
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to Greek Cyprus on Thursday -- the first ever visit of an Israeli PM to the island -- seeking closer ties in regards to cooperation in the fields of energy and defense, which might present challenges for Turkey.
The one-day visit 'was designed to strengthen the improving ties between the two nations,' according to officials from Netanyahu's office, and the two sides will discuss cooperation in energy matters, agriculture, health and maritime research and sign a disaster relief and a search and rescue agreement.
Greek Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told The Associated Press the visit "illustrates the great dynamic driving forward the improvement in relations between the two countries," and Cypriot-Israeli energy cooperation is a key aspect to budding relations, but there are others, including defense.
Netanyahu's visit follows a succession of reciprocal visits by senior officials from both countries and several low-level agreements. Israeli President Shimon Peres had talks with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias during a key visit to the island last November, discussing gas finds in the eastern Mediterranean, a discovery that has sparked a crisis between Turkey and Greek Cyprus.
Turkey opposes exploratory drilling being conducted by US company Noble Energy off Cyprus' south coast, saying it ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots. Ankara sent warships last year to escort a research vessel looking for gas deposits in the area, raising the possibility of a naval confrontation.
Israel, which also conducts drilling off its coast, has strained relations with Turkey as well. Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and suspended military agreements after a UN panel, investigating a deadly May 31, 2010, raid on an international aid flotilla headed for Gaza, said in its report that Israel's blockade of Gaza was legal.
After the Greek Cypriot drilling had begun in a southeastern offshore block, adjoining a gas field in Israeli waters reputed to be the world's largest find of the past decade, Turkey and the KKTC signed a continental shelf delimitation agreement in September to clear the path for Turkish exploration off northern Cyprus.
Relations between Israel and Cyprus have improved considerably in the last few years, with the deterioration of Turkish-Israeli relations.
Greek Cyprus, a traditional ally of Arab countries and a strong supporter of Palestinian statehood, was considered one of Israel's fiercest critics in Europe, but geopolitical developments have brought the two closer together.
In 2008, bilateral trade reached nearly 600 million euros, making Israel the fifth largest exporter to Cyprus. According to the Cyprus Mail, The Israel Project (TIP), a non-profit organization, reported that bilateral trade between the two climbed to 910 million euros in 2011. CİHAN
Greek Cyprus, Israel draw closer for cooperation, raising questions - Habervaktim
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to Greek Cyprus on Thursday -- the first ever visit of an Israeli PM to the island -- seeking closer ties in regards to cooperation in the fields of energy and defense, which might present challenges for Turkey.
The one-day visit 'was designed to strengthen the improving ties between the two nations,' according to officials from Netanyahu's office, and the two sides will discuss cooperation in energy matters, agriculture, health and maritime research and sign a disaster relief and a search and rescue agreement.
Greek Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told The Associated Press the visit "illustrates the great dynamic driving forward the improvement in relations between the two countries," and Cypriot-Israeli energy cooperation is a key aspect to budding relations, but there are others, including defense.
Netanyahu's visit follows a succession of reciprocal visits by senior officials from both countries and several low-level agreements. Israeli President Shimon Peres had talks with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias during a key visit to the island last November, discussing gas finds in the eastern Mediterranean, a discovery that has sparked a crisis between Turkey and Greek Cyprus.
Turkey opposes exploratory drilling being conducted by US company Noble Energy off Cyprus' south coast, saying it ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots. Ankara sent warships last year to escort a research vessel looking for gas deposits in the area, raising the possibility of a naval confrontation.
Israel, which also conducts drilling off its coast, has strained relations with Turkey as well. Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and suspended military agreements after a UN panel, investigating a deadly May 31, 2010, raid on an international aid flotilla headed for Gaza, said in its report that Israel's blockade of Gaza was legal.
After the Greek Cypriot drilling had begun in a southeastern offshore block, adjoining a gas field in Israeli waters reputed to be the world's largest find of the past decade, Turkey and the KKTC signed a continental shelf delimitation agreement in September to clear the path for Turkish exploration off northern Cyprus.
Relations between Israel and Cyprus have improved considerably in the last few years, with the deterioration of Turkish-Israeli relations.
Greek Cyprus, a traditional ally of Arab countries and a strong supporter of Palestinian statehood, was considered one of Israel's fiercest critics in Europe, but geopolitical developments have brought the two closer together.
In 2008, bilateral trade reached nearly 600 million euros, making Israel the fifth largest exporter to Cyprus. According to the Cyprus Mail, The Israel Project (TIP), a non-profit organization, reported that bilateral trade between the two climbed to 910 million euros in 2011. CİHAN
Greek Cyprus, Israel draw closer for cooperation, raising questions - Habervaktim
