Over the past year, Cyprus and Greece advanced diplomacy aimed to shape stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and its connection to the Middle East. Rather than responding to developments as they unfolded, both countries used diplomacy, legal frameworks, and institutional partnerships to influence outcomes in the Eastern Mediterranean and its interaction with the Middle East. This approach repositioned them as contributors to managed cooperation in a region marked by competing claims, energy competition, and shifting alignments.
For Cyprus, one of the most consequential developments was the maritime agreement with Lebanon, which resolved a long-standing dispute over maritime boundaries and reinforced the use of legal mechanisms to manage disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In parallel, Cyprus upgraded relations with the United Arab Emirates, marking a shift from political dialogue to practical cooperation. This deepening relationship reinforced Cyprus’s role as a connector between European institutions and Middle Eastern partners and demonstrated how Eastern Mediterranean-Persian Gulf cooperation can support stability through shared responsibilities.
Cyprus upgraded relations with the United Arab Emirates, marking a shift from political dialogue to practical cooperation.
At the European level, a major milestone was the strengthening of Cyprus’s strategic partnership with France. The two countries formalized cooperation across defense, security, and energy, supported by a joint action framework extending through 2030. This step reinforced Cyprus’s position within the European security architecture and reflected growing confidence among key European actors about Cyprus’s role as a reliable partner in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Alongside its European partnerships, relations between Cyprus and the United States also advanced. Security cooperation deepened in practical terms, including progress related to the upgrading of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base. These improvements enhanced Cyprus’s ability to support allied activities, humanitarian operations, and regional contingency planning.
Beyond the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus expanded diplomatic outreach to Central Asia and Africa. Engagement with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan focused on trade, connectivity, and political coordination, while outreach to African partners reflected efforts to diversify diplomatic relationships and explore cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and development. Together, these initiatives positioned Cyprus as a bridge between the European Union and emerging partners across Eurasia and Africa and reflected a broader effort to extend its external footprint.
Greece pursued a parallel strategy of structured engagement. Athens maintained dialogue with Ankara while reinforcing deterrence through defense cooperation and regional partnerships. Greece continued to deepen ties with Israel and Egypt and strengthened its role as an energy and transport hub linking the Eastern Mediterranean with the Balkans and Central Europe.
Within this framework, the agreement between the Greek government and ExxonMobil on natural gas exploration and liquefied natural gas cooperation confirmed a stable foundation for the United States-Greece energy relationship.
Greece’s international profile was further strengthened by its service as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. This role provides Athens with greater visibility and influence in discussions on peace, security, and international law. In parallel, Greece hosted and participated in bilateral and multilateral initiatives, reinforcing its role as a predictable partner in regional coordination.
Greece remains in contact with Turkey to schedule the next meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council, expected in the first quarter of the year.
Looking ahead to 2026, several developments will test whether this diplomatic positioning translates into sustained outcomes. Most notably, Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union, placing it at the center of European decision-making on security, energy resilience, and external relations. This role will give Cyprus greater capacity to connect European priorities with developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The first quarter of 2026 may also include an informal five-party meeting on the Cyprus problem in New York, following renewed momentum after the election of a new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman.
During the same period, Greece remains in contact with Turkey to schedule the next meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council, expected in the first quarter of the year. Athens and Washington also plan to hold their Strategic Dialogue in Greece, underscoring continuity in bilateral coordination. On Libya, technical talks with the Tripoli-based authorities on maritime and political issues are expected to begin in early 2026, alongside a Greek business mission to Benghazi.
Taken together, the past year shows Cyprus and Greece moving beyond reactive diplomacy and actively shaping the regional environment. Through maritime agreements, security partnerships, energy connectivity, and expanded diplomatic outreach, both countries strengthened institutional frameworks that structure cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. As 2026 approaches, their capacity to convert diplomatic positioning into durable arrangements will influence whether the region moves toward sustained coordination or renewed tension. For the United States and other external stakeholders, this trajectory carries direct strategic implications for regional stability and burden-sharing.