Lebanon and Cyprus signed an agreement delineating their maritime borders on Wednesday, a historic and crucial step toward unlocking offshore energy resources and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The signing took place at Lebanon’s Presidential Palace in Baabda, where President Joseph Aoun met with his Cypriot counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides.

Speaking after the ceremony, Aoun said the agreement would allow both countries to begin exploring their exclusive economic zones while fostering broader regional collaboration.

“The geography of the Mediterranean unites us, as do our shared history and future, and much remains to be accomplished together,” Aoun said. “We extend a clear and explicit invitation to all who wish to cooperate for the good of our peoples. This is the only path to renouncing violence, war, destruction, and policies of domination and greed, which have exacted enormous costs on our region and its people.”

Aoun praised Christodoulides for his role in reaching the agreement and thanked all officials, experts, and military personnel from both countries who contributed to the process. He emphasized that adherence to international law is essential for safeguarding relationships between nations.

The Lebanese president outlined plans to use the agreement as a foundation for expanding cooperation in energy, including renewable sources, telecommunications, tourism, and security. Among the initiatives is a joint “Search and Rescue Center” under the defense ministries of both countries.

Looking ahead, Aoun highlighted Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the European Union and said it would provide an opportunity to accelerate Lebanon’s engagement with Europe, including signing a strategic partnership agreement with the EU and pursuing joint projects to combat illegal migration across the Mediterranean. He stressed that Lebanon seeks regional cooperation without targeting or excluding any country.

For his part, Christodoulides described the maritime agreement as “historic,” emphasizing that it sends a strong political message of trust, respect, and regional cooperation. He said it will provide economic and legal certainty for potential investors while creating opportunities to strengthen ties in key sectors.

The Cypriot president also highlighted ongoing efforts to connect the two countries’ electricity grids and noted plans to work with the World Bank on a feasibility study. He added that Cyprus will strengthen its role as a bridge between Lebanon and the EU during its upcoming EU Council presidency.

“Full implementation by all parties of UN Security Council decisions concerning UNIFIL is essential,” Christodoulides said. “A stable and strong Lebanon is crucial for a peaceful and secure Middle East. We acknowledge the challenges Lebanon faces and welcome President Aoun’s commitment to leading the country toward a better future.”