The interconnectedness of Euro-Atlantic Security and the strategic significance of the Eastern Mediterranean were discussed on Thursday at a panel discussion at the Cyprus Forum, that takes place in Nicosia.

Irfan Siddiq, British High Commissioner to Cyprus, talked about the war in Ukraine and touched upon the issue of energy.

He said that although this meant short-term paying for European citizens, the long-term impact is clearly positive. He explained that we are moving away from reliance on Russian gas and oil and gave boost to alternative sources of energy which he said is beneficial both for the European energy security and the efforts to tackle climate crisis. 

Moreover, he noted that one unexpected side effect of Russia's horrific war in Ukraine has been the clarity it has helped create for some countries, like Cyprus who in the past "balanced their relations" between Russia and the West.

It is now clear to everybody, he said, that there can not be such viable balance and Cyprus' choice of unequivocal western strategic orientation is very welcome. 

It has also made clear, he added, that greater international cooperation and solidarity in our collective effort to strengthen international laws and values is vital. 

He referred to Cyprus' ports that are used for regional evacuations of civilians caught up in conflicts as well as its initiative for a Gaza humanitarian maritime corridor, saying that these are good examples of this much needed cooperation. 

In addition, he said that the importance of energy interconnectivity has become more clearer. Efforts are underway to increase energy interconnectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean but the reality is that the projects being proposed are more complicated and costly because of the political challenges that remain unresolved in the region, he stressed.

The High Commissioner expressed hope that the clarity of the costs of political instability and insecurity can help with a renewed and more creative push to resolve regional problems such as the Cyprus problem. 

United States Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Davis Fisher, said that what is happening in the Middle East is not diverting attention from the fight in Ukraine. 

"From the US perspective, we do not have that luxury. We can not allow our attention to be diverted, we have to be able to focus on the fight in Ukraine and supporting Israel's right in defending its state and its citizens, at the same time seeking that fair and just solution for the Palestinians" she pointed out.

The West, she said, has to be able to assert its positive vision for the world because if it does not, then it is the revisionists that are going to be looking to advance their sphere of influence. 

She stressed that the US is committed to the de-escalation of the crisis in the region, noting that this region can contribute to Europe's energy security. But firstly, she pointed out, we need political courage to overcome the barriers.

The Ambassador said that we are seeing some of these small steps, we are making progress in the region, to seeing the Eastern Mediterranean being the energy contributor, being a region to solve problems, but we need more if we are all going to be able to work together.

Now is the time for political courage, she underlined, now is the time to take advantage of opportunities, to advance energy security and stability because the risk that this region pays is "just too great."

On her part, Angelina Eichhorst, the European External Action Service (EEAS) Managing Director for Europe, said that there is no doubt about the strategic significance of the Eastern Mediterranean noting that it is increasingly important for the EU.

She pointed out that we need to avoid escalation and increase voices of reason in the region. 

Referring to the Cyprus issue, she said that she represented High Representatives Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell who were "fully engaged but there were many factors that could not bring the parties together".

She expressed hope that the conversation planned for the 15th of October can start a process "because we need those processes to start and to work". 

Concluding, she noted the importance of empathy, saying  empathy is extremely important to understand where the other comes from, what the other is actually trying to say to you in terms of where they want to end up. 

CNA is media sponsor of the Cyprus Forum.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

A tripartite meeting is set for October 15, between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, in New York