The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr Stavros Papastavrou, held a teleconference yesterday with Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen. The two ministers discussed developments in common energy and geopolitical interest, as the two countries share common goals for growth and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, with energy playing a decisive role.

Messrs. Papastavrou and Cohen confirmed the geopolitical importance of the close cooperation of Greece-Israel-Cyprus. The Israeli minister, initially initiated by communication, briefed Mr Papastavrou on the results of the meeting held by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. At the same time, they agreed that it is a strategic interest in both countries to create an energy interconnection between Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Europe, which will provide energy security, especially given the geopolitical instability in the Middle East and in general. This energy corridor is part of the broader geo -economic interconnection strategy of India, Middle East and Europe, known as IMEC. Mr Cohen then invited Mr Papastavrou to visit Israel immediately, an invitation that the Greek minister accepted.

It is recalled that on December 23, 2024, the relevant Ministries of Greece and Israel was signed an intergovernmental agreement to promote the two countries’ regional energy cooperation, which promotes regional stability.