Joint Declaration of the Minister for Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Konstantinos Hatzidakis and The Minister of Energy, of the State of Israel, Dr. Yuval Steinitz

On the occasion of the Greek-Israel high level G2G meeting held in Jerusalem, both Ministers expressed their full satisfaction at the level of cooperation reached between the two countries in recent years, in the field of energy. Our bilateral cooperation is further strengthened by our participation in several multilateral frameworks and fora including, inter alia, the trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus, the 3+1 Initiative that incorporates the United States of America and the East Med Gas Forum organization. Furthermore, the Ministers acknowledged that there is still room to further intensify bilateral cooperation in this field and therefore, both Ministers agreed to work together to engage the economic and business communities in Greece and Israel in the broad range of projects and business opportunities that exist, thus enabling them to exploit the substantial, untapped potential in the energy sectors of both countries. The Ministers agreed to work closely together in promoting joint projects, which will enhance the energy security of both countries.

The Ministers stressed the importance of promoting the Euro-Asia Interconnector Project which has been recognized as a “Project of Common Interest (PCI)” for the European Union (EU). The Ministers take note of the support offered by Greece and Cyprus to Euro-Asia regarding its submission, on May 27, of a proposal for a grant by the EU’s CEF (Connect Europe Facility) Fund. The project will promote regional energy security and prosperity by linking the electricity grids of Israel and Cyprus with that of the EU via a subsea electrical cable, extending from Greece (Crete), to Cyprus, and from there, to Israel. The Ministers, underlined the importance of deepening their cooperation on the project in order to facilitate the emergence of an integrated regional electric grid. The Sides also agreed to encourage joint ventures in investments from Israeli and Greek companies. 

Taking note of the signature, on January 2nd, 2020, of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on the East-Med Gas Pipeline (EMGP), we reconfirm our support and commitment to the implementation of the project. The EMGP represents a viable and strategic choice of common interest, both for our countries and for the European Union, allowing for the exportation of natural gas reserves from the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean through Greece to the rest of Europe. To this end, we look forward soon to welcoming Italy as a signatory to the Agreement. The Israeli government has initiated its ratification procedure and will notify the relevant Parties to the IGA upon its completion.We reiterate our support for the already established cooperation, at the corporate level, in the development of natural gas reserves in Israel and we strongly support the potential collaboration of Greek and Israeli companies in the areas of natural gas exploration, distribution and exportation.

Energy Efficiency, Alternative Fuels and Cyber Security Increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources for electricity production is an environmental and strategic target in Israel as well as in Greece. Both Ministers want to achieve this goal while maintaining reasonable prices and grid stability and are aware that this requires market-oriented solutions and technological innovation. Both countries invest in the protection of their critical energy infrastructure from both kinetic and cyber threats. Cyber security is among the fields of potential mutual cooperation that should be promoted at the bilateral level framework of our existing partnerships. Programs for cooperative activities and exchanges in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy-related cyber-security and alternative fuels should be explored by sharing policy experience, best practice methods, organizing seminars, and promoting contacts and cooperation among professionals in the scientific, academic, industrial and entrepreneurial sectors. The fields of interest include off-grid technologies, smart-grid, decentralized electricity production, energy storage, waste/biomass to energy technologies, disposing and reusing batteries and fuels cells, and advanced vehicle propulsion and fuels as well as defining specific fields for the cooperation of research centers and energy institutions in both countries. The Sides agreed to exchange information regarding policies for advancing the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector, including ways to stimulate markets.

In addition, the Sides will examine regulatory and financial support mechanisms for Renewable Energy Sources, EU best practices and policies and review their respective accumulated experience with regards to the integration of renewable energies in the electricity grid.