PRESIDENT DEMETRIS Christofias yesterday ended his first official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, describing Israel as one of Cyprus’ “most important strategic partners” while expressing support for the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state.
The president returned last night from his tour of the troubled region after appearing to have struck the right balance between historic allies, the Palestinians, and potential new energy partner, Israel.
Relations between Israel and Cyprus have seen a significant improvement in recent times, particularly following the deterioration of Israeli-Turkish relations last year when Israeli forces killed Turkish activists in international waters.
Gas exploration and expected findings of vast amounts of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean coupled with the recent signing of an exclusive economic zone between Israel and Cyprus have also opened up the door to a range of possible collaboration between the two countries.
Christofias met Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday while yesterday he met Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas, signing five bilateral agreements.
According to Israeli business website, Globes, Netanyahu’s office reported after the meeting with Christofias that the two leaders discussed “establishing a working group to examine the possibility of transferring gas from (Israel’s gas field) ‘Leviathan’, to Cyprus, and from there to markets in Europe”.
Asked to comment on Cyprus’ growing ties with Israel, Abbas said yesterday through an interpreter: “There is no problem in this case. We welcome when someone has relations with both sides because if they want, they can also contribute to solving problems. We always welcome such moves.”
Christofias yesterday announced a grant of one million dollars for constructing a clinic as a token of Cyprus’ solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Speaking at a joint press conference in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Christofias expressed his admiration for Abbas, describing him as a wise and constant fighter for peace.
“Our leaderships and our people are guided by basic principles and values such as the implementation of international law and the respect of UN resolutions and territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” said Christofias.
These are the principles upon which the peaceful settlement of both the Cyprus and Palestinian problem ought to be based, he added.
Expressing support for the creation of an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state, he said: “Cyprus, which has for 37 years been a victim of the Turkish invasion and occupation and illegal settlement cannot accept the settlement of the occupied territories in the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem or the existence of a dividing wall”.
Christofias referred to the excellent bilateral relations with the PNA, proven by the five agreements signed yesterday.
The agreements cover cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science, education, culture, genetics, archaeology, cultural heritage, museums and news agencies.
Abbas, in turn, thanked Cyprus for its support of the Palestinian people and for taking in a number of Palestinian refugees from Iraq, adding, however that they ought to respect the law of the Republic and the customs of the country.
Before leaving the region, Christofias addressed a Cypriot-Israeli business forum, where he noted that the current financial crisis has made it clear “there is tremendous room for improvement of bilateral economic cooperation among strategic partners”.
“Let me assure you, for the Cyprus government, Israel is one of our most important strategic partners,” he added.
