Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, along with the United States, confirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean region. The four nations released a joint statement following the 6th trilateral Summit Meeting in Jerusalem on Wednesday, which was attended by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the participation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The full joint statement reads as follows:
"The governments of the United States, the State of Israel, the Hellenic Republic, and the Republic of Cyprus met today in Jerusalem to affirm their shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Secretary Pompeo underlined U.S. support for the trilateral mechanism established by Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, noting the importance of increased cooperation. The leaders agreed to increase regional cooperation; to support energy independence and security; and to defend against external malign influences in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. They welcomed the recent natural gas find in the Eastern Mediterranean and its potential to contribute to energy security and diversification."
PM Tsipras & summit partners' statements on arriving in Jerusalem:
The purpose of the 3+1 summit in Jerusalem "is rather important: to create a secure transport network of energy resources from the eastern Mediterranean region, namely from Israel, from Cyprus and from Greece into Europe," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stressed in comments during a meeting among Greece, Cyprus and Israel with the participation of the United States.
Speaking on the creation of the East Med submarine gas pipeline, Tsipras said it would "help both the regional talks concerning security dialogue as well as the regional economic growth."
The trilateral summit meeting includes the participation of Greek, Cypriot and Israeli government officials, and, for the first time, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
In brief statements at the start of the meeting, Tsipras, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pompeo said that developments in the East Mediterranean and cooperation in the fields of energy, security and defense, economy and migration are key issues in this summit.
Tsipras observed that it is the sixth time this trilateral summit takes place, adding that all three countries "have grown stronger during that time," and that "our trilateral collaboration has become more strategic, especially in the areas of energy and security."
*Source: AMNA
