Greece-Israel-Cyprus build defense axis: Message of deterrence to Ankara and Tehran

With the deepening of strategic cooperation in the fields of defense and security, energy and connectivity as the main focus, Greece, Israel and Cyprus are attempting to shape a new security architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The framework set at yesterday's trilateral meeting links the strategic convergence of the three countries with the need for stability in an environment of increased challenges, but also with the ambition of broader regional synergies.

In this context, Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that stability is not a given and that cooperation between the three countries is necessary. Speaking about three democracies that gained their independence through sacrifices, he described the geopolitical environment in which cooperation operates, without naming the opponents, but noted: “Those who believe that they can restore their empire and their sovereignty in our countries, we tell them that this will not happen. Do not even think about it. We are determined to defend ourselves.” Furthermore, the Israeli prime minister stressed that Greece, Israel and Cyprus are three democracies in the region that promote freedom, prosperity and security and added that “together we will restore stability and prosperity through strength, and even more importantly, peace through strength.”

Therefore, the Israeli Prime Minister described the scope and targeting of the alliance, as his statements were interpreted as a clear message to Iran and Turkey. This approach integrates the trilateral into a broader regional security environment that may be formed in the region.

Netanyahu’s statements also acquire specific content at the level of defense cooperation, as this framework also includes the Greek-Israeli partnership in the defense sector, which was also reflected in the meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Israeli Prime Minister. Following the recent decision to procure 36 Israeli PULS multiple launcher systems, Athens is moving towards further strengthening the air arm of the “Achilles Shield”, with the aim of establishing a multi-level air defense network in the Aegean. In this context, according to information, the possibility of acquiring two advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic artillery batteries from Israel is also being considered.

At the level of political organization of cooperation, the three countries agreed to convene an annual Summit of leaders and to intensify trilateral meetings at ministerial and service level, with the aim of further deepening cooperation and expanding joint initiatives. At the same time, they reaffirmed the importance of the 3+1 format with the participation of the United States, while simultaneously calling on other like-minded partners to join this framework, clearly photographing Egypt and Lebanon, especially after the recent agreements they signed with Israel and Cyprus respectively.

Ankara's perplexity over the trilateral meeting
However, extensive reports in the Turkish and Israeli press had preceded this, reflecting the attention with which the deepening cooperation between Greece, Israel and Cyprus is being monitored. The Turkish newspaper Hürriyet reported that Israeli media attributed the background of the trilateral to shared concerns regarding Turkey, as well as to an energy cooperation that began about 15 years ago and, according to the same estimates, is now also acquiring defense dimensions.

Accordingly, the Jerusalem Post noted that natural gas discoveries off the coast of Israel, combined with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies towards Tel Aviv and Turkey’s stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, have led Israel to seek new regional partners, describing Greece and Cyprus as “natural partners” in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In Ankara, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler referred to “unilateral initiatives that Greece has put on the regional agenda from time to time,” calling on those, as he said, investing in divisive rhetoric to abandon escalation. Regarding the Cyprus issue, he reiterated that, according to the Turkish position, there can be no exclusion of Turkey from the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, underlining Ankara's support for the rights of Turkish Cypriots. The criticism was sharper by nationalist media, with the newspaper Türkiye characterizing the trilateral “a sandcastle in the Mediterranean”.

Subsequently, Nikos Christodoulides stressed that the strategic importance of the trilateral was confirmed, noting that “We share common values”. Referring to Gaza, he referred to the American 20-point plan and UN resolutions, an approach shared by Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Greek Prime Minister underlined that the cooperation of the three countries “contributes significantly to stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean”, speaking of “an important opportunity for the formation of a regional security architecture, which can bring peace and prosperity”.

In the field of energy, the joint declaration signed after the conclusion of the trilateral meeting confirms the determination of the three sides “to promote joint energy projects, including the development of natural gas, electricity interconnections and renewable energy initiatives”, on the basis of international law and the law of the sea. Special mention is made of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection project, which had previously caused friction between Athens and Nicosia, following disagreements within the Cypriot government regarding its viability. However, in yesterday’s declaration the three parties reaffirmed their “strong commitment to the Great Sea Interconnector project” and agreed “to cooperate in its promotion”.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the family home of the murdered Ionas Karousis, in Israel
Finally, the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the family of Ionas Karousis, who was murdered during the Hamas terrorist attack in Jaffa. The Greek Prime Minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Deputy Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou and National Security Advisor Thanos Dokos.