9883 - The strategic example of the Cypriot EEZ

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Evi Charitidou

As a mental schema the Cypriot EEZ strategic example is simple, but not simplistic. Cyprus is an island and constitutes an isolated energy system, unless it takes advantage of its EEZ. Moreover, it has a high degree of energy dependency and, consequently, importing energy is very costly. Thus, these analyses are clear: energy is indispensable for the island and cost of imported energy constitutes an obstacle to the island’s growth. These given were very thoughtfully analyzed by Solonas Kassinis, who managed to turn them into arguments for promoting the Cypriot EEZ exploitation few years ago. In other words, he displayed the fact that extraction research in the EEZ was an one-way road for Cyprus’s future growth. Many might have scoffed him then for what he had been saying, but history only few years later proved his thought’s strategic depth. In addition, we have to combine this problematic with earlier strategic given concerning the island, such as the position of the island in Eastern Mediterranean, the largest island of the region, the crossroads as energy hub and, of course, the EU membership. In total examining these given shows us how rational the agreements with Egypt, Lebanon and Israel had been. The same holds for the licensing rounds. And, of course, all this has practically started with Cypriot EEZ proclamation. If we evaluate the entire effort, we realize that this constitutes a triple economy. More specifically, Cyprus limits its dependency; it, thus, creates liquidity to make strategic investment on natural gas, it produces its own natural gas and creates employment for its own people; and all this in a European framework. In this way it secures its national rights. If we think that the whole strategy is deployed while Cyprus being under occupation, with refugees, entrapped and missing people, then it becomes absolutely comprehensible that the entire endeavor constitutes a national excess vindicated by time. In no way has Cyprus offended anyone, neither has it violated any human rights. This is the reason why we consider that its strategy on this sector sets an example to Greece. Greek EEZ proclamation supports the entire effort and opens the way for our country, too. And all this again takes place in a clearly European framework. For, in any case, these two EEZs de facto and de jure belong to the broader European EEZ, which is the largest EEZ in the world. So, this is our action field, as long as we activate it.