Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus (L), Joseph AounPresident of Lebanon (M) and Fayez Rasamny, Minister of
Transport and Public Works of Lebanon (R)
Cyprus and Lebanon signed this past Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the two countries and agreed to promote the investigation of a Cyprus-Lebanon electricity interconnection by creating technical teams and conducting a feasibility study. The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, referred to the agreement on the delimitation of the EEZ as a “milestone of strategic importance”.
President Christodoulides traveled to Lebanon Wednesday morning, where he held a private meeting with his counterpart Joseph Aoun. An expanded meeting followed, after which President Christodoulides and the Minister of Transport and Public Works of Lebanon, Fayez Rasamny, signed the agreement on the delimitation of the EEZ.
In his statements after the signing of the agreement, President Christodoulides said that "it is with feelings of joy and pride that I am in Beirut today. Feelings of joy, because this is the third visit we have exchanged in less than a year, in an event that reflects, among other things, the close and timeless ties that unite our countries, as well as our personal friendship."
He further described his presence in Beirut for the signing of the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone between Cyprus and Lebanon as an “important and historic occasion” and “a milestone of strategic importance which seals, in the clearest way, the level of our relations.”
He underlined that with the signing of this very important Agreement, “we are sending a strong, political message: that Cyprus and Lebanon, on the basis of International Law, the relevant United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and of course good neighborly relations, continue to invest in strengthening trust and mutual respect. They continue to invest in promoting bilateral and regional cooperation and stability, for the benefit of our citizens and the wider Middle East region” and that "we are bringing to an end a long-standing issue and we are now looking to the future and to what, having this as a basis, our countries can create together."
President Christodoulides thanked his counterpart, stating that the signing of the Agreement would not have been possible "without your own political will and determination, as well as the contribution of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the government, and the political leadership of Lebanon."
He also added that the successful completion of the negotiations is the result of "tireless and methodical work, in a spirit of trust and transparency, by our two negotiating teams" and expressed appreciation and gratitude to their leaders, the Minister of Transport and Public Works of Lebanon, Fayez Rasamny, and the National Security Advisor of the Republic of Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis, while he also thanked the members of the Negotiating Team of the Republic of Cyprus, "who, with their expertise and dedication, contributed to today's success."
The background history of the agreement
It should be noted that the signing of the EEZ Delimitation Agreement closes a pending issue of almost twenty years.
As informed by Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the Agreement is based on the Median Line, which is a long-standing position of the Republic of Cyprus.
The initial Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ Agreement was signed in January 2007, but was not ratified by Lebanon due to internal political issues. After the signing of the Cyprus-Israel EEZ Agreement in 2010, the Lebanese side made allegations of loss of maritime area, which were related to their internal issues. The dispute between Lebanon and Israel was resolved in 2022 through an agreement under American mediation, by defining their lateral maritime boundary.
Following the election of Lebanese President Aoun in January 2025, the Cyprus-Lebanon negotiations resumed at an intensive pace. In September 2025, negotiations were held in Beirut and a revised text of the Agreement was agreed upon, which was approved by the Councils of Ministers of Cyprus and Lebanon on 15 and 23 October 2025 respectively.
Turkey has consistently voiced opposition and taken steps to prevent the signing of this agreement.
Sources within the Cypriot Presidency state: “The negotiations and discussions were conducted intensively, discreetly and methodically with the aim of reaching this historic agreement.”
They also note that the agreement “confirms the dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the Republic of Cyprus as a stable and reliable player in the lead.”
Further, "The signing of the Agreement substantially upgrades Cyprus' sovereign rights over its EEZ, strengthens the overall framework of energy security and connectivity in the region and acts as a pillar of stability in a period of increased challenges. It also constitutes a clear political message about the ability of the Republic of Cyprus to conclude agreements with its neighbors on the basis of international law and mutual respect."
Prospects for cooperation in Energy and Infrastructure
“The Agreement we have just signed substantially strengthens the prospects for cooperation in critical sectors, such as Energy and Infrastructure. It also provides the necessary legal and economic certainty and security to potential investors, while at the same time strengthening the efforts of the two countries to further develop our energy programs,” said the President of the Republic of Cyprus in his statements.
At the same time, he noted that the agreement strengthens the prospects for energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, for the benefit of citizens, but also the prospect of the region functioning as an alternative energy corridor for Europe.
“However, beyond its energy and economic footprint, I must also underline the indisputable fact that such agreements constitute a strategic foundation for regional stability and security in a difficult region with many challenges. And today, with determination, with vision, with deep faith in the capabilities of our countries, and through a positive approach, we are taking a substantial step towards a safer future for our countries and the wider region," President Christodoulides emphasized.
Joint request to World Bank for study on electrical interconnection
The two Presidents also welcomed the dialogue that has already begun on the Cyprus-Lebanon electrical interconnection. For this, President Christodoulides stated, "Cyprus and Lebanon jointly requested the World Bank to prepare a relevant feasibility study" for the specific project.
Cyprus’ Support for Lebanon-EU Relations
Beyond the signing of the Agreement and discussions on broader energy issues, the President of the Republic of Cyprus noted that the two leaders also had the opportunity to exchange views on the further expansion of bilateral cooperation, regional developments that directly affect the two countries, and the Lebanon-EU relations, “which Cyprus supports practically and substantially”, while he also informed Mr. Aoun about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
“Friend [and] President, I want to reiterate publicly, once again, that we are very well aware of the challenges facing Lebanon, as we naturally recognize and support the efforts you have been making since the first day of your election to address these challenges. We welcome your determination and contribution to bringing Lebanon and its people into a new, clearly better era. And today I want to assure you that the Republic of Cyprus remains Lebanon’s most stable, reliable and predictable partner in this great endeavor,” he said
In this context, he stated that Cyprus fully supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. “We look forward to the full implementation, by all parties, of the relevant Security Council Resolutions regarding UNIFIL. Moreover, as the Republic of Cyprus, we know very well that a stable and strong Lebanon is the foundation for a peaceful and secure Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, and Cyprus supports efforts to achieve this goal,” he noted.
In this direction, he said, and as the closest EU Member State to the region, but also in view of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in approximately 40 days, “we will further strengthen our role as a channel of communication and a vehicle for substantially strengthening cooperation between Lebanon and the EU. We will continue to be pioneers in the region, actively contributing to the deepening of the strategic dialogue and joint actions,” he underlined.
“I will be happy to welcome you to Cyprus and to the Presidency assumption ceremony on January 7” and to the Council in April, he added, where we will discuss specific sectors, such as energy and education. We will work, he said, so that the EU-Lebanon discussions begin as soon as possible to reach an agreement.
In closing, the President of Cyprus stressed that the friendship between Cyprus and Lebanon is not only historical, "it is also a close, sincere, dynamic and evolving relationship, on which we build our common future. With today's signature, we add another stone to this long and strategic path of cooperation and friendship that naturally reflects the close relations between our peoples," he said.
President Christodoulides traveled to Lebanon Wednesday morning, where he held a private meeting with his counterpart Joseph Aoun. An expanded meeting followed, after which President Christodoulides and the Minister of Transport and Public Works of Lebanon, Fayez Rasamny, signed the agreement on the delimitation of the EEZ.
In his statements after the signing of the agreement, President Christodoulides said that "it is with feelings of joy and pride that I am in Beirut today. Feelings of joy, because this is the third visit we have exchanged in less than a year, in an event that reflects, among other things, the close and timeless ties that unite our countries, as well as our personal friendship."
He further described his presence in Beirut for the signing of the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone between Cyprus and Lebanon as an “important and historic occasion” and “a milestone of strategic importance which seals, in the clearest way, the level of our relations.”
He underlined that with the signing of this very important Agreement, “we are sending a strong, political message: that Cyprus and Lebanon, on the basis of International Law, the relevant United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and of course good neighborly relations, continue to invest in strengthening trust and mutual respect. They continue to invest in promoting bilateral and regional cooperation and stability, for the benefit of our citizens and the wider Middle East region” and that "we are bringing to an end a long-standing issue and we are now looking to the future and to what, having this as a basis, our countries can create together."
President Christodoulides thanked his counterpart, stating that the signing of the Agreement would not have been possible "without your own political will and determination, as well as the contribution of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the government, and the political leadership of Lebanon."
He also added that the successful completion of the negotiations is the result of "tireless and methodical work, in a spirit of trust and transparency, by our two negotiating teams" and expressed appreciation and gratitude to their leaders, the Minister of Transport and Public Works of Lebanon, Fayez Rasamny, and the National Security Advisor of the Republic of Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis, while he also thanked the members of the Negotiating Team of the Republic of Cyprus, "who, with their expertise and dedication, contributed to today's success."
The background history of the agreement
It should be noted that the signing of the EEZ Delimitation Agreement closes a pending issue of almost twenty years.
As informed by Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the Agreement is based on the Median Line, which is a long-standing position of the Republic of Cyprus.
The initial Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ Agreement was signed in January 2007, but was not ratified by Lebanon due to internal political issues. After the signing of the Cyprus-Israel EEZ Agreement in 2010, the Lebanese side made allegations of loss of maritime area, which were related to their internal issues. The dispute between Lebanon and Israel was resolved in 2022 through an agreement under American mediation, by defining their lateral maritime boundary.
Following the election of Lebanese President Aoun in January 2025, the Cyprus-Lebanon negotiations resumed at an intensive pace. In September 2025, negotiations were held in Beirut and a revised text of the Agreement was agreed upon, which was approved by the Councils of Ministers of Cyprus and Lebanon on 15 and 23 October 2025 respectively.
Turkey has consistently voiced opposition and taken steps to prevent the signing of this agreement.
Sources within the Cypriot Presidency state: “The negotiations and discussions were conducted intensively, discreetly and methodically with the aim of reaching this historic agreement.”
They also note that the agreement “confirms the dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the Republic of Cyprus as a stable and reliable player in the lead.”
Further, "The signing of the Agreement substantially upgrades Cyprus' sovereign rights over its EEZ, strengthens the overall framework of energy security and connectivity in the region and acts as a pillar of stability in a period of increased challenges. It also constitutes a clear political message about the ability of the Republic of Cyprus to conclude agreements with its neighbors on the basis of international law and mutual respect."
Prospects for cooperation in Energy and Infrastructure
“The Agreement we have just signed substantially strengthens the prospects for cooperation in critical sectors, such as Energy and Infrastructure. It also provides the necessary legal and economic certainty and security to potential investors, while at the same time strengthening the efforts of the two countries to further develop our energy programs,” said the President of the Republic of Cyprus in his statements.
At the same time, he noted that the agreement strengthens the prospects for energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, for the benefit of citizens, but also the prospect of the region functioning as an alternative energy corridor for Europe.
“However, beyond its energy and economic footprint, I must also underline the indisputable fact that such agreements constitute a strategic foundation for regional stability and security in a difficult region with many challenges. And today, with determination, with vision, with deep faith in the capabilities of our countries, and through a positive approach, we are taking a substantial step towards a safer future for our countries and the wider region," President Christodoulides emphasized.
Joint request to World Bank for study on electrical interconnection
The two Presidents also welcomed the dialogue that has already begun on the Cyprus-Lebanon electrical interconnection. For this, President Christodoulides stated, "Cyprus and Lebanon jointly requested the World Bank to prepare a relevant feasibility study" for the specific project.
Cyprus’ Support for Lebanon-EU Relations
Beyond the signing of the Agreement and discussions on broader energy issues, the President of the Republic of Cyprus noted that the two leaders also had the opportunity to exchange views on the further expansion of bilateral cooperation, regional developments that directly affect the two countries, and the Lebanon-EU relations, “which Cyprus supports practically and substantially”, while he also informed Mr. Aoun about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
“Friend [and] President, I want to reiterate publicly, once again, that we are very well aware of the challenges facing Lebanon, as we naturally recognize and support the efforts you have been making since the first day of your election to address these challenges. We welcome your determination and contribution to bringing Lebanon and its people into a new, clearly better era. And today I want to assure you that the Republic of Cyprus remains Lebanon’s most stable, reliable and predictable partner in this great endeavor,” he said
In this context, he stated that Cyprus fully supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. “We look forward to the full implementation, by all parties, of the relevant Security Council Resolutions regarding UNIFIL. Moreover, as the Republic of Cyprus, we know very well that a stable and strong Lebanon is the foundation for a peaceful and secure Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, and Cyprus supports efforts to achieve this goal,” he noted.
In this direction, he said, and as the closest EU Member State to the region, but also in view of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in approximately 40 days, “we will further strengthen our role as a channel of communication and a vehicle for substantially strengthening cooperation between Lebanon and the EU. We will continue to be pioneers in the region, actively contributing to the deepening of the strategic dialogue and joint actions,” he underlined.
“I will be happy to welcome you to Cyprus and to the Presidency assumption ceremony on January 7” and to the Council in April, he added, where we will discuss specific sectors, such as energy and education. We will work, he said, so that the EU-Lebanon discussions begin as soon as possible to reach an agreement.
In closing, the President of Cyprus stressed that the friendship between Cyprus and Lebanon is not only historical, "it is also a close, sincere, dynamic and evolving relationship, on which we build our common future. With today's signature, we add another stone to this long and strategic path of cooperation and friendship that naturally reflects the close relations between our peoples," he said.
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