Nicosia could host a Cyprus-Israel-Lebanon trilateral meeting if asked, sources told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), on Thursday commenting on the wish expressed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog for such a meeting upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace, where he met with President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides.
Before his one-to-one meeting with President Christodoulides, President Herzog said that he would like to see a trilateral meeting between the Presidents of Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel, even in Nicosia, noting that this was a ‘dream’ of his and that it was important to ‘move towards peace in the region’.
Competent sources said that the Israeli President had expressed a hope looking towards the future, sending a message to Lebanon that there was a possibility for the two countries to reach an understanding.
It was also noted that these issues do not depend on Nicosia, and that both Israel and Lebanon are dealing with domestic issues. However, the Republic of Cyprus would have no problem hosting such a meeting if asked.
According to the sources, the talks also covered cooperation in the defence sector and the Republic of Cyprus’ planning, with the two sides agreeing to remain in contact regarding what Cyprus could acquire more specifically under its defence procurement programme. Israel is one of the Republic of Cyprus’ largest suppliers of defence equipment, it was noted.
Israeli defence companies are showing interest in coming to Cyprus and establishing operations in the country, potentially enabling them to benefit from the EU’s SAFE programme, it was also noted.
According to the same sources, President Christodoulides also raised an outstanding issue dating back to 2011 concerning plans for a Cyprus-Israel double taxation avoidance agreement.
President Christodoulides also raised the issue of the Ishai-Aphrodite gas field, describing it as a priority, while the Israelis noted that it was close to completion.
During the talks, the Israelis also requested and received an update on the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the same sources said.
It was also noted during the talks that, following the arrest of Simon Aykut for offences to do with the illegal appropriation of Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, the numbers of Israeli investors purchasing property in the occupied areas had declined dramatically, and that the State of Israel had organised an information campaign on the matter.
Regarding the upcoming elections in Israel, it was noted that the outcome remains uncertain, but that Nicosia had done its preparatory work and was ready for whatever might emerge, while also referring to the historical development of the two countries’ relations.