On March 3, 2016, in Nicosia, the parliamentary committees of foreign affairs of Israel, Greece and Cyprus signed a joint declaration on strategic dialogue between the three committees. This declaration comes in the wake of the trilateral meeting held in January between Prime Minister Netanyahu, Cyprus President Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Tsipras.

Alongside Committee Chairman MK Tzachi Hanegbi, the Israeli delegation included MK Dr. Anat Berko, MK Dr. Nachman Shai and MK Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg.

MK Hanegbi: "We found a genuine willingness in Nicosia for cooperation and creating common ground among the three countries and parliaments. This is an excellent starting point."

The declaration marks a significant breakthrough in the relations between the three countries. In the coming months there will be staff work to promote joint activities on issues agreed upon, including cyber, entrepreneurship, innovation and water technologies.

 

 

Nicosia, 3rd of March 2016

 

The Chairpersons and Members of the Committees in charge of foreign affairs in the Parliaments of Cyprus, Greece and Israel;

Having gathered on this day in Nicosia, in their first meeting, on the invitation of the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cyprus House of Representatives;

Valuing their historical ties linking them since ancient times, through the Mediterranean, as their shared and common sea, which has been the cradle of civilizations and a place of exchanges for centuries;

Stressing that the region of the Eastern Mediterranean is going through alarming and threatening developments, which necessitate the urgent diffusion of tension;

Highlighting the need for joint efforts to tackle threats such as terrorism and the challenges posed by the humanitarian crisis caused by conflicts and instability;

Acknowledging that regional cooperation is an important tool which could contribute to safeguarding peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and beyond;

Welcoming the establishment of the trilateral partnership between the governments of Cyprus, Greece and Israel, which will result in joint action towards promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity in the Mediterranean region;

Acknowledging that regional problems should be solved with peaceful means, based on the UN Charter and universally recognized norms and principles of international law and with full respect to human rights;

Expressing their full and unwavering support to the ongoing negotiation process, under the United Nations Good Office Mission, for a just, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on international law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Such a solution, which will reunify the island, based on the respect of democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, would not only benefit the people of Cyprus in its entirety, but also significantly contribute to the peace and stability of the region, through Cyprus’ independent foreign policy; 

Emphasizing the importance of closer political cooperation and coordination between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, to the benefit of the countries’ people and of the turbulent region in general, where peace, stability and security must be safeguarded; Inviting third parties to join our efforts in regional cooperation, efforts which are not directed against any third party;

Considering the grave threats that wars create to the geopolitical stability of the Eastern Mediterranean;

Considering the unprecedented refugee flows into Europe as a result of wars, conflict and terrorism in the Eastern Mediterranean region;

Considering that the discovery of important hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean could serve as a catalyst for peace, stability and cooperation in the region;

Underlining the important contribution that the trilateral cooperation could make to relations with the European Union and to the energy security of the Union;

Underlining the importance of the trilateral parliamentary cooperation in promoting  policies for environmental protection of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as sustainable development, including the wide use of renewable energy;

Acknowledging that the enhanced trilateral relations can also lead to substantially improved exchanges in the field of tourism;

Underlining the legislative and representative role of Parliaments and considering the importance of the trilateral parliamentary partnership, in fostering cooperation in a number of additional sectors;

Sharing the view that common positions should be formed with due respect to each partner state’s particularities and national policies;

Having gathered in their first trilateral meeting in Nicosia, on 3rd March 2016, they jointly: