Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a wide-ranging and forceful statement during a trilateral meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, describing the gathering as the most consequential of their ten meetings to date and underscoring a shared commitment to strength, cooperation, and regional stability.

Netanyahu recalled that the previous meeting occurred shortly before the October 7 massacre, noting that terrorism once again proved that stability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean can never be taken for granted. He stressed that strength, clarity, and cooperation are not optional policies but essential requirements in a region facing aggression, terrorism, and persistent instability.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the partnership between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus provides a stabilizing force capable of prevailing over chaos while unlocking new economic opportunities. He outlined deepening cooperation across energy, technology, connectivity, and security, all of which he said are mutually reinforcing pillars of regional prosperity.

A central focus of the discussions was advancing the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, which Netanyahu described as a transformational project linking Asia and Europe through Israel, Cyprus, and Greece via maritime routes, railways, pipelines, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity. He highlighted the “great sea connector” as the backbone of this vision, enabling electrical energy cooperation between Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and potentially Asia. Netanyahu confirmed he would raise the project further in an upcoming meeting with President Trump in the United States.

Netanyahu also announced expanded collaboration in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced research, noting Israel’s role as a global technology leader and expressing confidence that joint innovation with Greece and Cyprus will shape the region’s future. He pointed to surging economic ties, including a dramatic increase in flights and Israeli investment flowing into Cyprus and Greece, as evidence of strong confidence in regional economic management and growth.

On security and diplomacy, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords and widening cooperation between Israel and the Arab world. They expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for a future governed by legitimate state institutions rather than terrorist militias. Netanyahu confirmed that the three countries agreed to deepen defense and security cooperation to protect critical infrastructure and vital sea lanes essential to the global economy.

The Prime Minister also used the platform to call for the immediate return of Israeli hostage Rani Gvili, still held by Hamas, stating that his continued captivity violates the laws of war and must end.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu framed the alliance as a broader civilizational struggle between democratic states seeking progress and forces attempting to drag the region back into extremism and imperial domination. He rejected any notion that hostile powers could reestablish control over their lands, declaring that Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are fully capable of defending themselves and strengthening their cooperation.

Describing Jerusalem and Athens as foundations of Western civilization, with Cyprus as a place where both cultures flourished, Netanyahu said the three ancient nations are proud of their past and resolute in seizing the future. He closed by affirming that together, the three democracies will advance security, prosperity, liberty, and peace through strength, wishing the leaders and their peoples a happy holiday season.