Israel and Cyprus have agreed to sign a deal later this year connecting their electrical grids through an underwater cable, marking a significant step in the US-backed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative, officials announced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described IMEC as a “revolutionary project” during discussions with President Chhristodoulides, emphasising the cable’s importance for Israel’s energy security and broader East-West connectivity, according to a joint statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and Energy Ministry.
The two leaders also reached an agreement on dividing the Aphrodite natural gas field, with the deal “expected to be signed within the next two months,” the statement noted.
Netanyahu expressed interest in hosting a trilateral summit with Cyprus and Greece “soon,” while Christodoulides indicated Cyprus would leverage its upcoming 2026 European Union Council presidency to promote regional interests in Brussels.
“We need to do much more in the areas of security, intelligence, tourism and trade,” Christodoulides said, adding discussions were needed on regional developments in Syria and Lebanon, with an apparent reference to regional tensions.
Netanyahu reportedly discussed the IMEC project recently with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of broader efforts to strengthen the economic corridor’s development.
