Greece and Cyprus sealed a bilateral agreement yesterday (13.10), providing for the coordination of search-and-rescue operations by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers of Larnaca and Piraeus. It also enables the exchange of information as well as joint searches and search drills permanent cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of energy and maritime policy.

Signing the agreement on behalf of Greece, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos stated that "the joint basis of this cooperation is respect for international law, and particularly respect for international law in the critical region of the Eastern Mediterranean." Ioannis Kasoulides the Cypriot FM underscored the great importance of the Agreement for Cyprus and for Hellenism; he added that "we are also looking at other ways of reacting that, however, might also correspond to the escalation of provocations from the other side."

The deal came a week after Nicosia halted UN-brokered talks on reunifying the divided island in response to Turkey’s plan to search for gas and oil in waters where Cyprus is already licensed to drill.

It was also announced that the first trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt will take place in Cairo on November 9. Greece and Egypt are seeking to carve out the two countries’ maritime zones.