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By Kostis Konstantinou • January 12, 2026

Jerusalem, 12 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A wave of incendiary commentary in Turkish pro-government media has targeted Greece and the eastern Mediterranean island of Kastellorizo, including explicit calls for military action and unsubstantiated claims involving Israel.

İbrahim Karagül, a columnist for the Islamist, pro-government daily Yeni Şafak, alleged that Greece has transferred “Israeli weapons and Israeli soldiers” to Aegean islands and established missile depots and bases “on Turkey’s borders.” He warned that if Athens were to take similar steps on Kastellorizo, “Turkey must immediately seize the island, without hesitation,” dismissing international law as irrelevant.

In similar rhetoric, Turan Oğuz, described in pro-government outlets as a defense analyst, paraphrased remarks attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump on Greenland to argue that “something must be done on Kastellorizo, whether they like it or not,” claiming—without evidence—that otherwise Russia or China would take control of the island. He also questioned Greek sovereignty based on historical arguments.

By contrast, Yusuf Erim of TRT World dismissed as “fake news” reports that Greece is considering an Israeli proposal for joint use of Kastellorizo, while cautioning that any such move would prompt a “disproportionate and decisive” response.

No official confirmation has been provided for the claims circulated by Turkish commentators. The statements add to heightened rhetoric in the eastern Mediterranean amid ongoing regional tensions.

At the beginning of this week, the international seminar of the “In the Path of Olives” initiative opened in the Galilee.

The seminar brings together kindergarten teachers and educators from Greece and Albania, who arrived in Israel for joint professional development in the fields of environmental education, sustainability, and innovative early childhood pedagogy.

The initiative, which began as a local educational program, has grown into a regional model that strengthens cooperation among Mediterranean countries and encourages cross-cultural learning centered on the olive tree and its environmental and cultural significance.

The Ministry for Regional Cooperation will continue to promote educational initiatives that connect communities, foster regional partnerships, and advance high-quality, in-depth education for environmental preservation.

The Ministry for Regional Cooperation is pleased to support this initiative and similar ones that strengthen human connections between us and the countries of the region.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) warns of flight delays at Ben Gurion Airport after Greece closed all its airports due to unspecified radio frequency problems. The shutdown is expected to continue until at least 4 p.m., affecting both arrivals and departures. “Airlines are working to find alternate routes,” the IAA said, urging travelers to anticipate disruptions and check flight updates.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Tripartite Work Plan for Military Cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, as well as the work plans between the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the Greek military and between the IDF and the Cypriot military, for the year 2026 were signed last week in Cyprus.

The Israeli delegation, led by Brigadier General Amit Adler, met in Nicosia with its Greek and Cypriot counterparts, as part of the annual joint meeting of the militaries of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.

The plans include, among other things, joint exercises and training, working groups in a variety of fields, and strategic military dialogue on issues of common interest.

“The signing of the plans constitutes an additional layer in deepening military cooperation between the countries, and contributes to strengthening stability, security, and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” said the IDF.

By Kostis Konstantinou • December 23, 2025

Jerusalem, 23 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The leaders of Cyprus, Greece and Israel expressed their determination to continue and deepen cooperation despite geopolitical challenges at the trilateral summit in Jerusalem on Monday.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project and linking it to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

At a joint press conference following the summit, Prime Minister Netanyahu noted that it was the tenth, not the first, stressing that he had told the two leaders privately that he considered it the most important of all that proceeded.

‘The last time the three of us met,’ he said, ‘was shortly before the 7 October massacre, when terror reminded us once again that stability in this region is never guaranteed, and that strength, clarity and cooperation are not just options, but imperatives.’

He added that ‘the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism, and instability’. ‘Our cooperation,’ he continued, ‘also offers new opportunities for prosperity. We are working together and have discussed cooperation in many areas in detail, such as energy, technology and connectivity, as well as security, which guarantees all of these.’

‘It is true,’ he stressed, ‘that all our countries were conquered in the past by a series of empires. But with courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times.’

‘To those who imagine they can restore their empires and dominate our countries again, I say: forget it. It will not happen. Do not even think about it. We are determined and capable of defending ourselves, and our cooperation further strengthens that capability.

The President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that all three countries had reaffirmed during the Summit what he called the strategic nature of their alliance, which is founded on shared values, mutual interests, and converging aspirations. This alliance is guided by the vision of regional integration, prosperity, stability, and security, he added.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the Cypriot President stated an “unwaveringly support President Trump’s 20-point plan and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803”.

He highlighted Cyprus’s role in the humanitarian sector through the Amalthea project, emphasizing that Nicosia continues to support the provision of humanitarian aid, security and rapid recovery efforts through the six-point plan first presented at the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in October.

He also highlighted the added value of the 3+1 format with the United States, emphasising that it strengthens our trilateral cooperation and aligns it with the broader regional architecture. ‘This format has proven to be a reliable model for promoting stability, connectivity, and strategic cooperation, and we are determined to further strengthen it.’, the President underlined.

In closing, he emphatically stressed: ‘Our presence here today is not only symbolic, but also substantive. The partnership between Cyprus, Greece and Israel is of strategic importance not only to our three countries, but also to our region and beyond. Together, we will continue to work in a spirit of trust and cooperation to strengthen stability, security and prosperity throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.’

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that all three countries are committed to strengthening regional security through diplomatic and stabilising efforts. ‘We discussed the broader developments in the region,’ added Kyriakos Mitsotakis. political solution.’ Despite the geopolitical challenges, this cooperation has stood the test of time and proven resilient, Mr. Mitsotakis underlined . Adding that It continues to contribute significantly to stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and creates an important window of opportunity for shaping a regional security architecture that can bring peace and prosperity.

We, Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, convened today in Jerusalem for the 10th trilateral summit among our countries.
Our Trilateral Cooperation
We recognize that our region stands at a historic juncture, with the opportunity to usher in an era of stability, prosperity, and cooperation stretching from India, through the Middle East and the EasternMediterranean, to Europe. This joint vision for progress, security, stability and peace is founded on respect for the historic heritage of the peoples it connects, their common interests, and shared values.

Today’s trilateral summit reaffirms our unwavering commitment to strengthen our cooperation, enhancing the security and resilience of our nations for generations to come.

We agree to convene an annual Leaders’ Summit and to intensify ministerial and working-level trilateral meetings, thereby deepening cooperation and expanding joint initiatives. 

We also reaffirm the importance of the 3+1 format with the United States and invite other like-minded partners to join our framework in a 3+1 format.
Security, Counterterrorism, and Maritime Cooperation

To ensure the realization of this vision, we reaffirm the need for concerted action to overcome existing and emerging challenges.

In this regard, we agree to reinforce our ongoing trilateral cooperation on security, defense and military matters.
We reaffirm our commitment to combatting terrorism, including efforts to eradicate the financing of terrorist activities. 
We underscore the importance of maritime security and pledge to deepen collaboration in safeguarding sea lanes and critical infrastructure against emerging threats. We welcome the establishment of the Maritime Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (MCCE) in Cyprus, and its planned inauguration in 2026.

We acknowledge the significant and consistent contributions by Cyprus and Greece to humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including through the Amalthea maritime corridor which is implemented in coordination between Cyprus and Israel and in close cooperation with international partners, in line with the 2720 Mechanism, for the delivery of additional aid. 

We reiterate the importance of President Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and call for the immediate return of the last remaining Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, and disarmament of Hamas in accordance with the agreed framework.

We commend the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center for Gaza (CMCC), in which Cyprus and Greece participate, for achieving, with facilitation by Israel, the milestone for movement of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza. 

We are determined to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians safely, only through the coordinated channels and without being abused by malign actors.

We reiterate Israel’s right to self-defense in accordance with international law and reject unfounded allegations against Israel.  
Emergency Response Cooperation
We agree to establish a Trilateral Working Group on Emergency Preparedness and Response, ensuring rapid and effective mutual assistance in natural disasters. We welcome the initiative to establish the

Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station, which aims to enhance regional preparedness and response capacities particularly as regards wildfires.

We will establish a Working Group on Health, strengthening cooperation among our medical institutions in research, innovation, and emergency response.
We further underline the importance of our extensive cooperation in environmental protection and addressing climate change. Our relevant authorities will begin the necessary work on trilateral memoranda of understanding on water and wastewater management and on addressing climate change. 

We recall our Implementation Agreement on the Sub-regional Marine Oil Pollution Contingency Plan and agree to hold a joint exercise in 2026 addressing maritime pollution incidents.
Energy, Connectivity, and Regional Prosperity
We reaffirm our determination to advance joint energy projects, including natural gas development, electricity interconnectors, and renewable energy initiatives, as a solid foundation for cooperation in the

region, based on international law, including the law of the sea and the respect of all states to exercise their rights in their respective EEZ/Continental Shelf.
We welcomed the recent Joint Statement on the 3+1 Energy Ministerial in Greece in November 2025 with the participation of the United States, and the commitment to promoting energy security and

cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center, as a key to regional strategic stability and resilience.
We express strong commitment to the Great Sea Interconnector project and agree to work together to advance it.
We will collaborate to promote regional interconnectivity projects, those currently in progress and future ones, within the context of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), including by

establishing working level groups which will convene on a regular basis to realize this strategic objective.
Science, Technology, and Innovation
We agree to further enhance trilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, including through the establishment of a framework to promote joint research initiatives, and to improve

coordination in accessing EU Horizon programs and other external funding sources.
We will establish a Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation, to promote reliable application of AI across mission-critical civilian verticals, high-level

computing infrastructure and capacity building.
European and Regional Cooperation
We welcome the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union as an opportunity to enhance cooperation in the Southern Neighborhood, including the Eastern Mediterranean, including

contributing to strengthen relations between the European Union and Israel and realize their potential as key partners. 
The strengthening and widening of the circle of peace between Israel and the Arab world holds the promise for a more secure and prosperous region. We reaffirm our commitment to expanding the Abraham

Accords and agree to intensify joint efforts, together with the United States and other partners, to achieve this goal.
We welcome the recent progress in the dialogue between Israel and Lebanon, adding an economic dimension to the security dialogue. We support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon, and the importance of ensuring the monopoly of the use of force under legitimate state institutions, in accordance with the decision of the Lebanese Government, UN Security Council resolutions,

and the November 2024 understandings agreed to by Israel and Lebanon through US mediation, which could open the path towards normalization between Lebanon and Israel. 
We highlight the special significance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and recall the inherent and deep historical bonds of the Jewish people to its historical

homeland. We reiterate our commitment to preserving the Status Quo at the Holy Sites of Jerusalem and stress our strong interest in upholding the presence and heritage of the Christian Churches.
In light of the global surge in antisemitism, including the recent appalling terrorist attacks against Jewish worshipers in Sydney and Manchester, we reaffirm our determination to fight antisemitism in all its forms, including calls for Israel’s destruction and denial of its right to exist.

We also reiterate the importance of religious freedoms, including freedom of worship, and our respective obligations therefrom. 
We express our full and unwavering support for a just, comprehensive, and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Such a solution, which would reunify the island on the basis of respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, would not only benefit the people of Cyprus in its entirety,

but would also significantly contribute to peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region.
People-to-People Ties

We commit to deepening cultural, educational, and academic exchanges, fostering mutual understanding and friendship among our societies.

We agree to accelerate implementation of existing agreements on environmental education and youth exchanges.

We will enhance cooperation on diaspora relations, utilizing the great potential and vital role of our communities across the globe in strengthening ties among our nations.

“President Christodoulides, Nikos,
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Kyriakos,
This is not our first meeting. It’s our tenth meeting. But I said in our discussions that I think it’s the most consequential.

The last time the three of us met was a short time before the October 7th massacre, before terror once again reminded us that stability in this region is never guaranteed, and that strength, clarity and cooperation are not options. They are a must.

The Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism and instability. 

Our partnership provides strength, clarity and cooperation that will prevail over chaos. 

It also offers new opportunities for prosperity. 

We are cooperating, and discussed in detail cooperation, in many fields: energy, technology, connectivity and also security, that guarantees this all.

We will advance IMEC, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This is an idea that has been brought forward before, but we think we have to put it into reality. It’s a maritime, rail, pipeline, energy pipeline and cable connectivity between Asia and Europe going through Israel, Cyprus and Greece.

As part of this effort, we are advancing the great sea connector that will enable electric energy cooperation between our three countries and Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula, and ultimately you can connect it to Asia as well. So, this is a big thing, and in many ways, it’s the skeleton of the IMEC corridor. We discussed practically how to move this forward, and we intend to advance it. I’ll also discuss it in my upcoming meeting with President Trump in the United States. 

We agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, in cybersecurity, advanced research.

Israel is already a global technology leader, and together with Greece and Cyprus, we will shape the region’s future in cutting-edge new technologies. 

I want to tell you that a lot is going on right now. Israeli companies, hi-tech companies are flocking to Cyprus and to Greece. It basically says that they believe in the economic management. We’re not jealous. We believe in competition. 

There are, what? 137 flights a week? 186 flights a week between Israel and Cyprus. It’s unbelievable. Just compute that. How many flights a day? 

I don’t know of many Israeli investors who have not visited Greece or who are not investing in Greece. Increasing amounts are growing there, and again, I think this is a sign of the dynamism of our economies, Israel‘s economy which has been rated third by The Economist as the most vibrant economy in the planet, third most vibrant economy in the planet. I think we were shortchanged, but that’s alright. But I believe that there is dynamism here, there is at once great opportunity but also great challenges, and we recognize them. 

We affirmed our commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, to widening the circle of cooperation between Israel and the Arab world.

We also expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for a future in which legitimate state institutions hold authority and military power, and not terrorist militias.

We agreed today to deepen our security and defense cooperation. 

The threats we face are real.

Together, we are defending not only our own nations, but vital sea lanes and critical infrastructure that the global economy depends on.

I cannot skip the opportunity to call for the immediate return of Rani Gvili, the Israeli hostage that is still held by Hamas. This is contrary to the laws of war, and this is something that has to be completed. 

But we are, in general, fighting a battle for an orderly future of states that want to seize the future, against those forces who want to drag us back to a dark medieval past that has nothing to do with modernity, and nothing to do with progress.

Israel, Greece and Cyprus are three ancient countries with ancient peoples. 

Jerusalem and Athens are the foundations of Western civilization, and in Cyprus both cultures flourished. 

You have to go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem; or you go to the Acropolis in Athens; or you go to the incredible historic museum in Nicosia, which I did, and you see the glory of our past.

All three of us are very proud of our history in our ancestral homelands as we seize the future.

Now it is true that all of our countries were conquered in the past by a succession of empires. 

But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times.

Greece -195 years ago; Israel – 78 years ago; Cyprus – 65 years ago.

To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It’s not going to happen. Don’t even think about it.

We are committed and able to defend ourselves and our cooperation further enhances that capability.

Together, we three genuine democracies in the Eastern Mediterranean shall advance security, prosperity and liberty. 

With God’s help, we will bring a brighter and safer future to our nations and to the entire region.

Together, we bring stability through strength, prosperity through strength, and most important, peace through strength.

I wish you all Happy Holidays.
Thank you”.

Video: GPO

By Kostis Konstantinou • December 18, 2025

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas denied to The Press Service of Israel that there is any official plan or agreement for the formation of a joint rapid reaction force between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Reports of such a force being created swirled in advance of Monday’s tripartite summit in Jerusalem.

“In regard to the specific publication, I have nothing to add; I do not confirm it. No such meeting with such an agenda has taken place. Contacts and meetings take place on a daily basis, whether they are made public or not, but such a specific issue has not existed and does not exist,” Palmas told TPS-IL.

“Of course, the relationship between Cyprus and Israel, or Greece and Israel, or Greece, Israel, and Cyprus is well known. We are allied countries, whether this concerns the training of personnel or bilateral and trilateral exercises. After all, this is how allied or friendly countries operate with each other,” Palmas explained.

This denial follows media reports in Israel and Greece about a tripartite brigade-level force consisting of 2,500 soldiers from the eastern Mediterranean countries. The force would, according to the reports, cover ground, air, and naval operations.

Greek media initially ran the story, citing Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. The latter had reported on an “unusual” meeting between Israeli Air Force Chief Tomer Bar and high-ranking officials from Cyprus and Greece. The aim, according to Kan, was to strengthen cooperation in eastern Mediterranean airspace while countering Turkey’s efforts to consolidate its presence and influence. However, Kan made no mention of forming a force.

Greek reports citing Kan then reported, without verification, plans to create a rapid intervention force.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides are expected to discuss energy cooperation, protecting offshore assets, and deterring Turkey.

Jerusalem, 16 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Greece’s parliament and national security council have approved a budget for the Hellenic Armed Forces to acquire Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket artillery system. The Israeli defense company expects a major contract once negotiations with Greece’s Ministry of National Defense are finalized.

The PULS system can launch rockets, precision-guided missiles, and other munitions from wheeled or tracked vehicles, reducing maintenance and training costs.