Lebanon, Cyprus ink sea border deal, Nicosia says it sends 'strong message'

Lebanon and Cyprus on Wednesday signed a treaty to demarcate their maritime border, with the Cypriot president calling it a “strategic achievement that sends a strong message.”

The treaty ends an almost 20-year impasse that had stalled some oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fuel.

President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides signed the agreement at the Baabda presidential palace, finalizing an initial deal first inked in 2007.

While Cyprus ratified the 2007 agreement, Lebanon didn't because of its maritime border dispute with Israel, as well as its internal political crises. Nicosia in 2012 offered to mediate to end the impasse, but a breakthrough didn't come until 2022, leading to a landmark agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, following U.S. mediation.

Lebanon hopes offshore exploration could help it generate resources after years of crippling economic crisis. It is yet to reach a maritime border agreement with neighboring Syria, which suffers its own political upheaval after a lightning rebel offensive ousted long-term President Bashar Assad.

Cyprus is set to make the best out of the deal as European countries aim to reduce reliance on importing gas from Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine. Christodoulides last week said that some of the estimated 20 trillion cubic feet of gas discovered off Cyprus could reach European markets as soon as 2027.

The delay in finalizing the agreement has prevented Cyprus from widening its hydrocarbon search, as it could not explore in areas adjacent to Lebanese waters.

“We are extending a clear and explicit invitation to complete this maritime understanding with anyone who wants to cooperate with us and bring welfare to our peoples. We believe this is the only way to abandon the language of violence, war, destruction and policies of domination and greed, which have cost our region and its people enormous prices,” said Aoun at a joint press conference after the signing.

In turn, Christodoulides considered the signing of the maritime boundary demarcation agreement a strategic achievement, pointing out that "through it, we send a strong message that Cyprus and Lebanon, based on international law, continue to invest in strengthening trust, regional cooperation and stability.”

“The agreement enhances the prospects for cooperation in the energy sector in the Middle East and for our region to be an alternative energy corridor to Europe," he said.

He added: "I welcome the dialogue we have initiated regarding the electricity interconnection between Cyprus and Lebanon, and we will approach the World Bank to prepare a relevant feasibility study. We recognize the challenges Lebanon is facing and welcome President Aoun's determination to lead Lebanon towards a clearly better new era. We look forward to the full implementation by all parties of the Security Council resolutions regarding UNIFIL, and a stable and strong Lebanon is fundamental to a peaceful and secure Middle East."