Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus
𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 & 𝗖𝘆𝗽𝗿𝘂𝘀: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
“Partners for our Future” - this was the title of the 8th Heads of States Trilateral Summit which took place in Jerusalem in December 2021; the culmination of another year of excellent relations brewed with good chemistry, positive atmosphere and mutual understanding.
Israel and Cyprus are very close partners. Fifteen years ago, such a statement would have sounded almost like science fiction but today it is a reality. The two countries share similar values, mutual interests and common goals on a wide range of topics.
Leaving behind 2021, we welcome the new year with optimism. The pandemic is expected to continue in 2022, but over time, humanity’s response to it has become more effective and efficient. Israel was one of pioneering countries in tackling this universal threat and will continue to act responsibly, using scientific and technological tools to eradicate the pandemic. We were proud to be able to share with other countries, including Cyprus, the lessons learnt and knowledge gained in Israel and will definitely continue to do so.
We are confident that in 2022, despite the limitations set by the pandemic, we will be able to promote joint economic projects, expand trade and investments, resume travel and tourism and strengthen ties between peoples.
In the coming year we also expect to see even closer bilateral activity in the areas of defense and security. Both countries face threats and challenges that will not disappear in 2022. This calls for the procurement of advanced security systems, in order to ensure adequate protection from hostile acts.
The cutting-edge defense and military technologies being developed in Israel are appreciated worldwide and Israel is gradually becoming a leading supplier of such systems to Cyprus. We will continue to contribute to the strengthening of Cyprus’ defense, by offering expertise and know-how, as well as by participating in exercises, both at bilateral and multilateral level.
Energy and the discovery of natural gas deposits have been an important driving force in the rapprochement between our two countries. Both sides quickly understood that cooperation is needed in order for this resource to benefit the citizens of the two countries. Turning this understanding into action is a long and complex process, dependent on several factors, beyond just mutual goodwill. Along with the continuous efforts to promote significant projects in the field of natural gas, the two countries are expected to expand their cooperation in the field of green and renewable energy. Cyprus as a member state of the EU and a close neighbor to Israel, can serve as the testing ground of advanced Israeli technologies in this field.
The impact of climate change and the evolving global policies adopted in order to mitigate the threats pose great challenges to decision-makers and call for Israel and Cyprus to adapt and adjust. The Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are likely to be greatly affected by climate change. Droughts and rising temperatures, water scarcity, desertification and other extreme weather phenomena will affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people in our neighborhood. This is a challenge that no country can tackle on its own. Israel welcomes the Cyprus initiative to coordinate regional activities to combat the adverse effects of climate crisis. Israel is committed, both at political and scientific level, to support this initiative and strive for its success. In 2022, we will participate in the significant conferences to be hosted in Cyprus, together with other relevant players in the region, who understand the need to join hands for the benefit of their citizens.
Wildfires are another phenomenon directly tied to climate change. In recent years, both countries have come to each other's aid to battle huge blazes and we are taking steps to institutionalize this crucial cooperation in the coming year. In addition, the Israeli government has already expressed its intention to assist in the recovery of affected areas on the island, through reforestation and nature restoration.
Water also enables collaboration. Israel’s state-of-the-art and innovative solutions can be shared with its friends. In 2022, we will intensify the effort to promote in Cyprus Israeli know-how and technological tools to address the problems of water scarcity, sewage treatment and water leakage.
The most upbeat prospect for the new year is the expansion of regional partnerships. Whereas in the past, the vertices of the triangle connecting the European Union, Israel and Arab countries were not aligned, today the situation is completely different. New schemes and synergies have evolved. On the one hand, there is Israel, Cyprus and Greece cultivating a resilient environment in the Mediterranean basin; and on the other hand, there is Israel with Arab states following the game-changing Abraham Accords and the historic peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, all working together on altering the face of the Middle East. This alignment creates a dynamic and multi-dimensional structure, a regional bridge, with practical results, such as the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), the Quadrilateral FMs Paphos Forum, the 3+1 meetings with the participation of US and other.
The warm neighbourly relations between Israel and Cyprus enable both peoples to learn from each other. This mutual learning enables us to reach out, open our minds and hearts, gain insights and enrich our worlds. This is the foundation for developing creative thinking, so much needed for tackling the 21st century’s complexities.
It is clear that plenty was achieved thus far, but there is so much more that we can still do together. The late Israeli statesman Shimon Peres, when asked what was his greatest achievement, quoted a famous Israeli painter: “𝘔𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.”