Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Israel have reached an agreement on the EastMed gas pipeline, the Cypriot channel Sigma reported, noting that it will be signed in early 2020.

Turkey has been trying to thwart the plans for the EastMed project, which had been delayed, however, as the channel reports, the Libyan-Turkish memorandum reportedly led to problems being overcome.

According to Sigma, the interstate agreement will be signed early next year, adding that consultations are currently under way at the highest possible level for a signing ceremony – a response to Turkey, which will also have strong US support.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israel, Cyprus and Greece to proceed immediately with the agreement to build the ambitious €7 bln EastMed gas pipeline.

Israel sees this is as a way of dealing with Turkey after Ankara signed an accord with Libya to delimitate their mutual maritime zones.

Netanyahu condemned the memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya as unlawful in a telephone conversation with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

According to a written statement by government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos, both leaders had a long conversation on Friday morning, exchanging views on current developments and ways to deal with Turkey’s unlawful activities in the region.

The Israeli Premier expressed his gratitude over a Cabinet decision to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

Anastasiades also had a long telephone conversation with Lebanon`s caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri to coordinate action to prevent Turkey behaving illegally, that would endanger stability and peace in the region.

Nicosia has gone on a diplomatic offensive to coordinate moves that would buffer Turkey’s intensified activity in the region.

On December 23, Anastasiades is expected to speak with the King of Jordan, Abdullah II.