Cyprus-Egypt Geopolitical Cooperation in Energy and Regional Security in the Eastern Mediterranean
Abstract
This article examines the geopolitical dynamics of Cyprus-Egypt relations in the context of energy and security cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The central issue addressed is how this bilateral partnership has evolved and what strategic interests underpin it. This research is guided by the question: how do Cyprus and Egypt construct and pursue their geopolitical interests through energy and security collaboration, and what are the broader implications for a regional constellation in the Eastern Mediterranean? Using a qualitative approach informed by Geopolitics Theory, Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), and Balance of Threat Theory, the study reveals that the Cyprus-Egypt cooperation is beyond natural resource exploration. Instead, represents a regional alliance aimed at counterbalancing Turkish influence. The author argues that this partnership signals a transformation in Middle Eastern geopolitical boundaries of the Middle East. The article concludes that Cyprus-Egypt relations exemplify a new geopolitical synergy that contributes to the emerging architecture of regional energy and security while prompting a redefinition of the Middle East’s cultural and political scope.
References
Abdel-Razek, S. (2024). "Cyprus-Egypt Gas Deal: A Lifeline for Energy Security and EU Exports Amid Regional Challenges". in Ahram Online. https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1201/535539/AlAhram-Weekly/Egypt/CyprusEgypt-gas-deal-A-lifeline-for-energy-securit.aspx
Adamides, C. (2022). Energising Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Impact of Hydrocarbons on Regional Security. St Antony’s International Review, 17(1), 115–131.
Alibabalu, S. S., & Sarkhanov, T. (2022). Geopolitics and Geoeconomics of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Conflict: Analysis of Turkey’s Policy. Geopolitics Quarterly, 18(68), 94–115. Scopus.
AP. (2021). "Turkey is Creating new Ottoman Empire: Cyprus FM". in Ahram Online. https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/425037/World/Region/Turkey-is-creating-new-Ottoman-empire-Cyprus-FM.aspx
Bowden, J. (2025). "East Mediterranean: Cyprus Upstream to help Stabilize Egypt Gas Balances". in The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/East-Mediterranean-Comment.pdf
Buzan, B., & Wæver, O. (2003). Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Cope, Z. (Ed.). (2024). The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Geopolitics. Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47227-5
Demiryol, T. (2019). Between security and prosperity: Turkey and the prospect of energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Studies, 20(3), 442–464. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2018.1534204
Eissler, E. R., & Arasıl, G. (2014). Maritime Boundary Delimitation in the Eastern Mediterranean: A New Conflict between Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and Israel? The RUSI Journal, 159(2), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/03071847.2014.912809
EMGF. (2025). EMGF. Overview. https://emgf.org/pages/about/overview.aspx
Esber, F. (2018). "Natural Gas a New Cause for Conflict in the Middle East". in Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1251266
Evriviades, E. (2025, May 13). "The Eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus and the Geopolitics of Turkish Irredentism". in RUSI. https://www.rusi.orghttps://www.rusi.org
Gas Supply in SE Europe and the Key Role of LNG. (2018). Institute of Energy for South-East Europe (IENE). https://www.iene.gr/articlefiles/gas%20supply%20in%20se%20europe%20and%20the%20key%20role%20of%20lng%20test.pdf
Government of Cyprus. (2025). "Joint Declaration of the Tenth Egypt – Cyprus – Greece Trilateral Summit". https://www.gov.cy/en/president-of-the-republic-presidency/joint-declaration-of-the-tenth-egypt-cyprus-greece-trilateral-summit/
Grigoriadis, I. N. (2014). Energy Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Conflict or Cooperation? Middle East Policy, 21(3), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12087
Grigoriadis, I. N. (2020). The Eastern Mediterranean as an Emerging Crisis Zone: Greece and Cyprus in a Volatile Regional Environment (Eastern Mediterranean in Uncharted Waters, pp. 25–30). Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep28862.7
Johansson, V. A. (2018). Navigating the Eastern Mediterranean: Interest-formation & State-action: Egypt, Israel, Turkey & the Republic of Cyprus. Master Thesis. Linköping University. https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-148686
Kaliber, A. (2024). Re-imagining Cyprus The Rise of Regionalism in Turkey’s Security Lexicon. In Cyprus: A Conflict at the Crossroads. Manchester University Press. https://www.manchesterhive.com/display/9781526185709/9781526185709.00014.xml
Kiralp, S. (2023). Cyprus’s Relations with Egypt and Israel During the Makarios era: Influence of Regional Disputes, Economy, Socio-Cultural Unteractions and UN Debates. Middle Eastern Studies, 59(3), 517–531. https://doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2022.2110078
Koktsidis, P. I., et. al. (2021). Legal and Geopolitical Aspects of Energy Development in the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU’s Strategic Involvement. In A. Tziampiris & F. Asderaki (Eds.), The New Eastern Mediterranean Transformed: Emerging Issues and New Actors (pp. 119–137). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70554-1_6
Kollias, C., et. al. (2016). Military expenditure in Greece: Security challenges and economic constraints. The Economics of Peace and Security Journal, 11(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.15355/epsj.11.1.28
Proedrou, F. (2023). A Geopolitical Account of the Eastern Mediterranean Conundrum: Sovereignty, Balance of Power and Energy Security Considerations. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 36(5), 679–696. https://doi.org/10.1080/09557571.2021.1897088
Prontera, A., & Ruszel, M. (2017). Energy Security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Middle East Policy, 24(3), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12296
Reuters. (2018). "Cyprus-Egypt Gas Pipeline to Cost $800 Million-$1 Billion". in Ahram Online. https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/299030/Business/Economy/CyprusEgypt-gas-pipeline-to-cost--million-billion.aspx
Sukkarieh, M. (2021). The East Mediterranean Gas Forum: Regional Cooperation Amid Conflicting Interests.
Theia Consulting Group. (2024). "Egypt and Cyprus Strengthen Energy Ties: Key Deals for Gas Exportation". in Theia Consulting Group. https://www.theiacg.com/insights/egypt-and-cyprus-strengthen-energy-ties-key-deals-for-gas-exportation
Tsakiris, T. (2017). The Energy Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus Problem. IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook, 288–291.
Tziarras, Z. (2019). The New Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean: Trilateral Partnerships and Regional Security. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
Walt, S. M. (1985). Alliance Formation and the Balance of World Power. International Security, 9(4), 3–43. https://doi.org/10.2307/2538540
Youssef, E. (2024). "Egypt and Cyprus: Strategic Partners". in Ahram Online. https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1201/519694/AlAhram-Weekly/Egypt/Egypt-and-Cyprus-Strategic-partners.aspx
Copyright (c) 2025 Middle Eastern Culture & Religion Issues

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Middle Eastern Culture and Religion Issues (MECRI) applies the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, with the copyright on the published articles held by the journal. Authors are required to transmit the copyright to this journal once the articles are accepted. This journal is granted a non-exclusive license to publish the articles as the original publisher, along with the commercial right to publish printed issues for sale. Since this journal applies an open-access mode, authors may post articles published by this journal on personal websites or institutional repositories both prior to and after publication while providing bibliographic details that credit this journal.
By publishing with this journal, the copyright holder grants any third party the lawful right to use their published article to the extent provided by the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
Subsequently, people are lawfully permitted to share, distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the published articles for noncommercial purposes only, by providing appropriate credit or attribution (Title, Author, Source, and License of the work), including a link to the license, indicating if any changes were made, and redistribute the derivative outputs under the same license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).














