Israel, Greece, Cyprus discuss maritime security amid tensions over Turkey-Libya deal

The defense ministries of Israel, Cyprus, and Greece held talks on Thursday morning as part of trilateral meetings intended to increase defense cooperation among the three countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

This meeting was meant to build on existing cooperation agreements reached at a summit in Jerusalem last December.

Particular emphasis was placed on defense-industrial cooperation and innovation, maritime security, and disaster preparedness.

The meeting also focused on upholding maritime law and respecting legal jurisdictions. This issue has been brought to the fore recently after Turkey signed a deal with Libya establishing a new maritime boundary that was widely condemned by Israel, Greece, Cyprus, the EU, and Egypt.

They also described the buildup of military forces in the region as a "destabilizing force."

The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to shared democratic values, cooperation, and dialogue as means of resolving international disputes.

Trilateral cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean has become an increasingly important part of Israel's wider strategy to counter Turkish expansionism in Syria and Libya.

This cooperation is often viewed in the context of the Israeli- and UAE-led Hexagon alliance, which is intended to counter two regional blocs: Iran's now heavily diminished Axis of Resistance and the newly established Mecca Pact between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.