Cyprus, Greece, and Israel to Sign Significant Pipeline Agreement in January

Amid Turkey’s growing territorial hostility in the Mediterranean, Israel to sign a new pipeline deal with both Cyprus and Greece early in 2020; This new deal would allow gas to flow from the eastern Mediterranean directly to Greece.

Amid Turkey’s determination to claim rights to areas that potentially contain oil in the eastern Mediterranean, Israel will now be signing a significant pipeline deal with Cyprus and Greece. The agreement is expected to be signed on January 2, 2020, and will allow gas to flow directly from the eastern Mediterranean to Greece. Two weeks ago, a Turkish naval ship forced an Israeli research ship out of waters off the coast of the island of Cyprus.

This new pipeline is called the EastMed (Eastern Mediterranean) pipeline, and it will stretch approximately 1,200 miles. Additionally, it is expected to deliver anywhere from 9-12 billion cubic meters/year from the eastern Mediterranean to southeastern Europe. While this new deal is going to be a huge economic boost for Israel, Cyprus, and Europe, it will also deal a blow to Turkey, who is trying to monopolize the eastern Mediterranean. A spokesman for the government of Greece stated, “It is really important that the countries showed they can react quickly against Turkey’s provocative stance.”

Prepared for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to oppose this new deal, Greek Energy and Environment Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated, “The EastMed pipeline agreement will go forward despite what Erdogan says.”