In this paper the aim is to analyze that environment from the energy perspective, and to be more specific the role of the construction of the EastMed pipeline in transforming each of the countries involved in the project (Greece, Israel, Cyprus) as an energy hub for the transportation of natural gas to other EU countries.
The Eastern Mediterranean is a very complex region concerning the international political scene from various perspectives. An environment of long-term conflicts and instability is the key to understand and analyze the geopolitical shifts, not only generally but also in the wider region regarding the neighboring states. Greece, Israel and Cyprus have signed a mutual agreement for the implementation of this Project of Common Interest under the European Neighborhood Policy Framework and it seems quite ambitious. Nevertheless, the challenges presented could not be omitted from this analysis, not only financial ones but also those occuring from regional state actors, such as Turkey, which has adopted an overall negative stance towards the Project.
In addition the European gradual decarbonization policy seems to further hinder the implementation of the pipeline via the EU Green Deal initiative, due to its plans which aim to the energy transition towards a cleaner, greener, environmentally sustainable future based on the model of the circular economy. Therefore, this paper initially presents an overview of the European Neighborhood Policy at the first chapter, then it proceeds to analyze the stance of each state involved in the tripartite cooperation as well as the particular challenges each one deals with at the second chapter, and last but not least it concludes at the third chapter with the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on the Project and the shift of the European energy policy towards achieving the environmental viability by using the EU Green Deal Plan. Finally, an Annex at the end of this paper is provided in order to facilitate the reader's understanding of the facts here presented.
Table of Contents
Introductory note
PART 1: An overview of the European Neighborhood Policy
Chapter 1: The establishment of the ENP
-Subchapter 1.1: Association Agreements and other policy instruments
PART 2: The European Neighborhood Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean
Chapter 2: The Israel-Greece-Cyprus partnership in the framework of the ENP for the EastMed pipeline
-Subchapter 2.1: Israel in relation to the EastMed project
-Subchapter 2.2: Greece and the EastMed pipeline
-Subchapter 2.3: The position of Cyprus for the pipeline
Chapter 3: European Neighborhood Policy challenges for the EastMed Project
-Subchapter 3.1: The Covid-19 outbreak and the EastMed Pipeline
-Subchapter 3.2: The European decarbonization plans and the impact on the EastMed Project
Conclusions
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the EastMed pipeline project within the context of the European Neighborhood Policy and the tripartite cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The central research objective is to analyze the viability of the EastMed initiative, the individual state-specific challenges involved, and the external factors—such as geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and EU decarbonization strategies—that influence the project's potential implementation and its role in European energy security.
- Regional energy cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.
- The integration of the EastMed pipeline into the European Neighborhood Policy framework.
- Geopolitical obstacles, including Turkish maritime claims and regional stability.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global energy demand and project investment.
- The influence of the EU Green Deal and decarbonization targets on the feasibility of fossil fuel infrastructure.
Excerpt from the Book
Subchapter 2.1: Israel in relation to the EastMed project
The EU's external relations, which consist of economic (commercial) and political components, extend as mentioned above to the countries of the southern and eastern sides of the borders of the “Old Continent”. Its cooperation with Israel started from the establishment of that state and it included an unprivileged three-year trade agreement in 1964, and afterwards in 1970 another one for five years. The 1995 Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2004, did not significantly extend the cooperation of the two sides only in trade matters but also in general economic development, technology, science, culture and social issues based on a constructive political dialogue. The first country to sign an Action Plan under the ENP in 2005 (its validity extended until 2025) was Israel, aiming to align its internal legislation with European standards and norms, so as to enjoy the benefits of free trade and strengthen the common values of democracy, the rule of law, the human rights protection and fundamental freedoms.
The Arab-Israeli conflicts, the Palestinian issue and the war in Syria have created more tensions in the Middle East. These factors have functioned as a hindrance on the progress of cooperation and security issues in the region due to the presence of non-state actors (terrorist groups). As a result, Israel was upgraded to a strategic security partner in the area, for the EU as well as Greece and Cyprus for defense reasons. Israel’s geopolitical position was further reinforced especially with the discovery of natural gas in the Tamar in 2009 (250 billion cbm) and Leviathan fields (500 billion cubic cm) in 2010, so the European Commission was led to approve the construction of the EastMed pipeline as a Project of Common Interest.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: The establishment of the ENP: This chapter provides an overview of the European Neighborhood Policy, its origins, and its role as a multi-dimensional tool for fostering political and economic cooperation with neighboring non-member states.
Chapter 2: The Israel-Greece-Cyprus partnership in the framework of the ENP for the EastMed pipeline: This section details the trilateral energy cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, focusing on their respective interests and strategic roles in the EastMed project.
Chapter 3: European Neighborhood Policy challenges for the EastMed Project: This chapter analyzes the primary obstacles to the pipeline, specifically the disruptive economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the long-term impact of EU decarbonization policies.
Keywords
EastMed pipeline, European Neighborhood Policy, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Energy Security, Natural Gas, Geopolitics, EU Green Deal, Decarbonization, COVID-19, Hydrocarbons, Tripartite Cooperation, Energy Hub, Maritime Zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the EastMed pipeline project, investigating its viability and the geopolitical and economic factors that influence its development within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy.
What are the central themes of the research?
The study centers on regional energy security, the tripartite partnership between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, and the external pressures threatening the project, such as climate policy, regional conflicts, and fluctuating global energy markets.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The goal is to analyze the EastMed project in conjunction with the specific national challenges of the involved states and evaluate the factors that will ultimately determine the project's success or failure.
Which scientific methodology is primarily used?
The author employs a comprehensive literature review and policy analysis, relying on official documents from the EU, reports from international energy agencies, and contemporary academic literature to assess the project's trajectory.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the history of the ENP, the specific involvement of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus in the pipeline development, and the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 global recession and the EU's aggressive transition to green energy.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include EastMed pipeline, European Neighborhood Policy, Energy Security, Geopolitics, EU Green Deal, and energy infrastructure transition.
How does the Turkey-Cyprus dispute affect the project's feasibility?
The dispute hinders the project because Turkey challenges the maritime demarcations and ignores Cyprus's sovereignty, which creates regional instability and discourages secure investment in the gas fields.
How does the EU's decarbonization plan (Green Deal) impact the pipeline?
The Green Deal creates significant uncertainty for the pipeline by prioritizing renewable energy and reducing funding for fossil fuel infrastructure, making the pipeline appear less attractive to future investors by 2050.
- Quote paper
- Konstantina Tzima (Author), 2023, The tripartite cooperation of Greece - Israel - Cyprus for the EastMed Pipeline under the European Neighborhood Policy Framework, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1452385
