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Israel, Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration agreed on Monday to further deepen their trilateral cooperation in security, defense and military affairs, following a summit held in Jerusalem amid heightened regional tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the three sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in security and defense, stressing that the alliance does not target any specific country in the region.
“We are not seeking confrontation with anyone. On the contrary, we seek stability, prosperity and peace,” Netanyahu said at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.
Netanyahu added that the coalition aims to safeguard vital maritime routes and critical infrastructure, expressing hope that the partnership would not be put to the test.
In a joint declaration issued after the 10th trilateral summit, the three sides said they would intensify cooperation in security, defense and military affairs, while reaffirming their commitment to counterterrorism efforts, including combating terrorist financing.
The declaration highlighted the importance of maritime security and pledged deeper cooperation to protect sea lanes and critical infrastructure.
It also pointed to plans for a Maritime Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to be established in Cyprus, expected to become operational in 2026.
Mitsotakis said the trilateral framework has proven resilient over time, noting growing military cooperation, including rising Israeli arms sales to Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Israel has emerged as a major arms supplier to both, providing advanced missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems, while the Israeli military frequently conducts training and exercises on Greek and Cypriot territory.
Christodoulides said cooperation among the three countries has expanded beyond defense to include tourism, energy, science, technology and innovation, adding that there are no limits to the prospects for future cooperation.
The joint declaration also reaffirmed commitments to promote joint energy projects, including natural gas development, electricity interconnections and renewable energy initiatives, in line with international law and maritime law.
The leaders underlined their support for the Great Sea Interconnector project and cooperation under the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor framework.
On Gaza, the declaration welcomed humanitarian assistance efforts, including the Amalthea maritime corridor coordinated by Cyprus and Israel with international partners.
The three sides referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, calling for the immediate return of the last Israeli hostage and the disarmament of Hamas under agreed frameworks.
Netanyahu said Israel, Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration support Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords with U.S. support.
He also said no party seeks conflict, responding to a question about Türkiye by stressing that the trilateral partnership aims to promote norms, stability and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mitsotakis said the trilateral cooperation now carries greater strategic weight amid a new geopolitical phase in the region, describing it as both a period of risk and an opportunity to shape a regional security architecture that supports peace and prosperity.
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