Tsipras: We want to ensure peace, prosperity and cooperation
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The 4th Greece-Cyprus-Israel Summit was held in Nicosia on Tuesday with energy cooperation as the main focus in the agenda of talks between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We are here for a meeting that has now become an institution and a strategic partnership that is finally taking on flesh and bones. We are three countries washed by the same Mediterranean waters; we want to ensure peace, prosperity and cooperation,” Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Tuesday.
Tsipras described the EastMed pipeline as an emblematic project, and analysed the features of the interconnectivity project in its evolution. “This project is not just about energy but the highest-level geostrategic cooperation,” the prime minister said, announcing that the agreement will be signed within 2018.
In addition, the prime minister said, they talked about cooperation on renewable energy sources and the environment, with a focus on marine pollution.
“I agree with what Benjamin said before about human capital, Greece is a welcoming country and everyone can feel at home,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said . As the Greek prime minister said, a fair solution involving two states is needed regarding the Palestinian issue, and he expressed the hope that the US initiative would provide a basis for the solution. “We expressed our support for Nicos Anastasiades’ efforts for a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, with the departure of the Turkish troops and abolition of guarantees,” added Tsipras. On Turkish provocations, he said that Ankara must respect the rights of its neighbours on the basis of international treaties “and this is supported by all three of us,” he added.
“The Prime Minister of Israel has expressed his concerns about Iran’s missile tests, but a possible abolition of the agreement on Iran’s nuclear capacity may lead to destabilisation,” noted Tsipras.
“I leave more optimistic than I came,” said the Greek prime minister, adding that “the next meeting will be held in Israel at a place, as Benjamin said, which is innovative and we want to follow Israel’s footsteps in innovation.”
“The mechanism we have established transforms our common vision for peace and security in our region,” Anastasiades said during joint statements by the three leaders. The Memorandum of Understanding between the three countries for collaboration in telecommunications and space projects was a demonstration of this cooperation in multiple areas, he added.
On energy, Anastasiades said the three countries’ cooperation on the EastMed pipeline is beneficial for a number of countries and highlighted the EU’s financial contribution. “As you can understand, neither the Cyprus problem nor the problem faced by Israel could be missing from our talks,” Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters on Tuesday, during joint statements with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Nicosia after the 4th Greece-Cyprus-Israel Summit. Stressing that his country is ready to resume the talks on the Cyprus issue, Anastasiades called on Turkey to abstain from provocative actions and thanked the two prime ministers, expressing “the Cypriot people’s gratitude for the solidarity shown with respect to Turkish actions.”
At the same time, he stressed the need for a just solution for both the state of Israel but also of the Palestinians, condemning all anti-Semitic behavior. He also said that “with my friend, the Prime Minister of Greece, we conveyed the message to our friend, the Israeli prime minister, that we support the American effort and the contribution of Saudi Arabia and Egypt for the start of talks.”
“A few years ago we had a fire in Carmel that would have burnt Haifa. This did not happen due the Greek firefighters that were there,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, highlighting the in-depth building of relations between the three countries. Referring to the energy sector he said that it was an important project, while noting that, besides the economic benefits, there was also human capital.
Netanyahu pointed out that many Israelis visit Greece and Cyprus, and asked that Greeks and Cypriots reciprocate by visiting Israel. “I would like you to come too,” he said, noting that the three countries share the same dream and “are bound under the same sky”.
He also attacked regime in Tehran, saying that they want the destruction of Israel and that Iran has already attempted to plant dangerous weapons inside Syria.
Source: ANA-MPA