WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump's return as a free world leader is excited among Mediterranean officials about the potential peace and economic agreements in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Two vice ministers from Greece and Cyprus were held in a panel discussion last week by Matthew Boyle of the Breitbart News Washington Bureau at the Delphi Forum hosted by the Washington America Leadership Council, Washington last week. expressed optimism about promoting peace agreements, particularly the Abraham Accord.
Greek Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadpou said he was pleased with “renewing American interest in the region,” and the Abraham Accord, achieved under Trump's first administration, was more likely to have Boyle He predicted that the country would expand if asked how it would create it. agreement.
“For quite a few years, we all lived in the Greater Eastern Mediterranean region, so we are afraid of Americans retreating, and they are not willing to show any active interest in what is happening. This won't work. It's going to cause a lot of problems,” she said. “I am pleased that there was a new new American interest in the region right now. Of course, the countries involved have made their own decisions, ideas to American leaders, new American leaders. I have to tell you.”
“The US administration has excellent relations with the Israeli Prime Minister and the Egyptian Jordan leader, the leader of Saudi Arabia, so some thin lines will be guiding Abraham's agreement. I am sure we will find it. In the Middle East, where we will flourish in another peace and have a place for all,” Papadpurou added.
Boyle directed a similar question to Cypriot Immigration and International Protection Deputy Minister Nicholas Ionnides, asking how America, Cyprus, Greece and Israel, known as “3+1,” promote peace in the Middle East.
“Indeed, the Abraham agreement was a huge success of the first Trump administration. Therefore, an attempt to revive this process is a very welcome development,” he said. “I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Cyprus, as a Southeast EU member state, is a strong strategic partner of both the US and Israel. Therefore, we believe in it and within the context of the Abraham Accord. I'm ready to be part of the revived process.”
Ioannides has expanded the strategic location of Cyprus in the region.
“We provide strategic depth for our geographical position. We believe we are and can remain a humanitarian hub and safe place in our community.” He explained in detail. “And of course, if we can do this, we can also use excellent relationships with other regional states to broaden the Abraham Accord 2.0 range.”
Julie Rayman, managing director of policy and political issues for the American Jewish Commission, when asked about unlocking peace deals that the Trump administration has been interested in reaching, said, “Amazing.” He spoke to the opportunity. However, she focuses on the economic impact on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Hamas' terrorist attacks add a complex level that did not exist in the original Trump administration.
“I think there have been a lot of opportunities and it has been happening before anyone else,” Leyman argued.
“One fundamental difference is that the Abraham coalition of the last Trump administration was largely built for the economic prosperity of Israel, in the promise of greater economic prosperity among all the countries involved. ” she added. “And one of the tragedys that is one of the many tragedies of October 7 is that Israel's economic prosperity isn't. It's rebounding. It's already beginning to rebound, but other countries They were able to become partners because they were looking at the scenery of. So, that's really the basic part and I think it's going to be a challenge.”
Papadrou also discussed the economic opportunities in the region, particularly the possibility of establishing corridors in Indo-Middle East Europe (IMEC). The proposed trade routes travel from India through the Middle East to Europe and the US, reflecting China's belt and road initiatives.
Papadrou called it an “opportunity to use it.”
“If you look at the map, the map speaks for itself. You have the land, you have the ocean,” she explained. “And if you look at the belts and roads, it's through China, Central Asia, through Pakistan and all the way to Turkey. But this is taken. It's been photographed by China, and it's Russia, China, It's nature, you're nothing, you have no chance, but there's a maritime corridor, and you have to go to the South China Sea, India and the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and Europe, and ultimately the US. It's here.”
She creates “every dot” and “maritime” corridors for “every dot is there”, highlighting that Greece and Cyprus could function as “adhesive” for trade routes. did.
“So, for all of us, it's clear that maritime roads are one-way streets. There's no other option,” she said. “There's the foundation of this corridor. It's '3+1', Cyprus, Israel, Greece, and even the United States. There have since been more than the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel, the strategic relationship between Greece and India, and the superior relationship between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. So there are all the points, Greece and Cyprus act as adhesives that bring about a part of the world leading to the European Union through corridors that provide political stability, economic openness. A very strong alliance between the European Union and the United States. So, all the elements are placed. ”
“And this is the economic aspect of what our friend said about the Abraham agreement,” Papadpurou added. “This is how politics and economy are all combined to create this new thing, and I don't use the term Middle East. I use the term Eastern Mediterranean, but from the Gulf Coast. It starts with a big shape. The road to the Balkans and the road to Europe. It's there. We have to work to make it work.”
