Israel, Greece, Cyprus reject Turkey-Libya maritime deal, agree to deepen defense ties

Defense officials from Israel, Greece, and Cyprus convened in Athens on Thursday to discuss strengthening their defense ties, the Israeli Defense Ministry reported. During the meeting, the three countries agreed to establish a joint working group for defense industries, rejecting the maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya as legally invalid. The leaders of the three nations emphasized the importance of defense cooperation, shared security challenges, and addressing regional threats.

The trilateral meeting brought together defense policy heads from the three ministries along with senior officials. They discussed expanding military cooperation, shared security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the importance of maritime security, energy cooperation, and disaster preparedness. The officials also called for deeper defense-industrial partnerships, sharing of technology and expertise, and improving interoperability among their militaries.

The three countries reaffirmed their opposition to unilateral claims, coercion, and military buildups, urging all states in the region to avoid actions that threaten regional security. They stressed adherence to the law of the sea and the sovereignty of Cyprus, as endorsed by UN Security Council resolutions. The officials highlighted energy cooperation as a key pillar for regional stability and emphasized the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and energy supply routes for Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

The partnership, according to the statement, is grounded in shared democratic values, complementary strategic interests, and a commitment to international law. The officials expressed optimism that this cooperation would help make the Eastern Mediterranean a region of security, connectivity, and sustainable prosperity.