The importance of the tripartite groups in the region, but also in the role of Turkey and Egypt, was mentioned by the Israeli Ambassador Yossi Amrani, speaking exclusively to SKAI and Apostolos Maggeriadis.
In connection with the recent statements of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu and the questioning of the sovereignty of the Greek islands, Mr. Amrani stressed the need for all countries to respect the sovereign rights of their neighbors in the region, referring to the recent Greece-Cyprus declaration.
Full interview:
Mr. Ambassador, what are the main conclusions from the last tripartite meeting in Israel between the leaders of Greece, Israel and Cyprus?
Follow. I think the continuation and the tradition would be the most important conclusions of the visit of Prime Minister Mitsotakis, as well as of the Cypriot President Anastasiadis to Israel, which was the first meeting with the new leadership of Israel. And the importance of the tripartite lies in continuing the commitment of the three sides in the framework of cooperation, to continue to work together for peace, stability, security, prosperity in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
In the field of Turkey, Ankara seems to be making an effort to normalize its relations with a number of countries, namely Egypt, the Emirates and even Israel. I wonder if we should welcome this shift and I also wonder if it will affect our tripartite cooperation schemes.
I would not say that a rapprochement or an improvement in relations between Turkey and any country in the region replaces Greece. This is not a zero-sum game and I think in the last 20 years we have created something very stable, very important. And I think that is also the tripartite form of cooperation. And this has been proven in recent decisions, recent policies, recent strategies. Turkey is an important country in the region. I would not say the phrase “even with Israel”. We are interested in having better, normal relations with Turkey. I do not want to say that it is a Turkish responsibility or that it is up to Turkey to prove its good intentions. But because we have a specific experience, I would say that our interest is the good relationship with each country in the region. A good relationship with Turkey does not mean that it will replace the relationship we have with Greece. I think it is very clear.
Yesterday, Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu insisted on questioning the sovereignty of the Greek islands in the Aegean and I wonder if Turkey will seek normalization with everyone else except Greece.
Well, you have to ask this to the prominent Turkish ambassador to Greece. I think he is quite eloquent. The statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister is not new. You have heard them before and I will refer you to the statement issued by the three leaders last Tuesday, a week ago in Jerusalem, on the sovereign rights of different countries in the region. This is a very clear statement.
On the issue of gas reserves in the Middle East. Do you see Egypt becoming the hub country and this somehow overturning plans for East Med?
Egypt is an important country in the region for Israel, definitely for Greece, definitely for the Arab world. The role played by Egypt is important. Egypt is now one of Israel’s largest gas customers. We have a pipeline connecting the two countries and another is under construction. Egypt can be a mediator in the process. I would not say that the fact that Egypt is becoming a gas hub for the region and for Europe, replaces the East Med pipeline. The question is the route of the pipeline. East Med will be done one way or another. Eventually Cyprus will have a pipeline that will direct the Aphrodite deposit in Egypt. Thus, Egypt is an important “crossroads” for all pipelines, for all initiatives. Whatever the route, Egypt is central. I do not think it replaces, replaces and provides a viable alternative to move forward in the coming years.
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