European Rim Policy and Investment Council (ERPIC)
ERPIC is an independent non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the study of political and economic issues affecting the Eastern Mediterranean.
ERPIC runs three working programs that are at the core of its activities: the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Security Program; the Democracy and Rule of Law Program; and the Energy Program.
ERPIC produces and disseminates original electronic media content, such as interviews, presentations, special briefings, and conferences addressing international law and human rights, democracy building, regional security and energy matters in the Eastern Mediterranean region. ERPIC also organizes live roundtables and seminars featuring diplomats, academics and policymakers.
ERPIC is a founding member of the East Med Forum, an electronic, online discussion forum, the purpose of which is to serve as a platform for the exchange of information and ideas, facilitate intraregional cross-border, cross-industry and cross-cultural dialogue, which aims at creating a framework for regional cooperation.
Latest Videos
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The Recent Energy Developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
The Recent Energy Developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
Laury Haytayan
13 September 2023
0:00 - Intro
0:24 – Recent developments in the Lebanese oil and gas sector
0:32 – Exploration drilling in Lebanon’s Block 9
2:26 – The second licensing round
3:05 – Seismic survey in Block 8
4:04 – The sovereign wealth fund law
4:47 – Eastern Mediterranean updates
4:54 – The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war
5:12 – Egypt-Israel-EU memorandum of understanding
7:36 – Europe’s energy future
9:52 – India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Laury Haytayan delves into several recent noteworthy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
In August, exploration drilling commenced in Block 9 located off the Lebanese coast. The outcomes of this drilling are highly anticipated, as they could lead to the discovery of substantial gas reserves. The second licensing round for offshore oil and gas exploration in Lebanon is set to conclude soon, with an expected closure date in October 2023. This round has faced multiple delays, and its outcome is eagerly awaited to gauge industry interest. Lebanon has also signed contracts for geological seismic surveys in Block 8. Finally, there is an ongoing discussion surrounding the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund in Lebanon, which aims to manage revenue from oil and gas resources for the benefit of the country's economy. The fund's status is pending parliamentary approval.
Regional dynamics are influenced by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, impacting energy dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the EU last year, Israel and Egypt have emerged as key gas producers in the region. However, Europe has learned from past experiences, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and is increasingly focusing on renewable energy sources to reduce its dependency on natural gas.
Another significant development in the G20's announcement about establishing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This ambitious connectivity project has the potential to reshape the economic landscape of the region, fostering economic development. It is therefore crucial to emphasize the paramount importance of focusing on economic opportunities and connectivity rather than becoming entangled in political conflicts.
Laury Haytayan is a Lebanese energy policy expert with special interest in the geopolitics of oil in the Middle East and North Africa. She is also a host of Energy Espresso podcast.
#LebanonEnergy #EasternMediterraneanEnergy #IMEC
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The Results of the Turkish 2023 Elections
The Results of the Turkish 2023 Elections
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak
Moshe Dayan Center
and Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security
16 June 2023
On the 28th of May, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected as the President of Turkey. The elections took place in the aftermath of a deadly and devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of 50,000 people in Turkey and caused massive destruction. Despite the impact of the earthquake, President Erdogan managed to secure re-election, even in the most affected areas. He also won in the religious and conservative provinces, as his opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, failed to gain Sunni Muslim votes due to his Alevi faith. Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak provides an overview of the election results and their potential consequences for the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
#Turkey #Turkishelections #erdogan
Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, Ph.D (Tel Aviv University) is a researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, and an expert on contemporary Turkish politics and society. Hay is the editor of Turkeyscope, and a member of the Middle East Network Analysis Desk. He is a frequent guest on Israeli and international media, where he regularly appears to discuss contemporary Turkish issues.
Visit us at: www.erpic.org Follow us on Twitter:
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The Results of Turkish 2023 Elections
The Results of Turkish 2023 Elections
Marios L. Evriviades
Professor of International Relations and Security
Neapolis University Paphos
12 June 2023
The results of the latest presidential election in Turkey have confirmed and solidified a one-man rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his oriental despotism based on an ideology that combines Sunni supremacism with extreme Turkish nationalism. Professor Evrivades has analyzed what Erdogan's win means for Turkey and the wider region.
#Turkey #TurkishElections #Erdogan
Marios L. Evriviades is a Professor of International Relations and History at Neapolis University Pafos. He is also a Senior Fellow at ERPIC. Prof. Evrivaides holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of New Hampshire, an M.A. in International Relations, a M.A.L.D. in Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Ph.D. in International Relations, all from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. -
The 2023 Parliamentary Elections in Greece
The 2023 Parliamentary Elections in Greece
Marios L. Evriviades
Professor of International Relations and Security
Neapolis University Paphos
12 June 2023
On the 21st of May, Greece held general elections. However, the results did not provide the ruling conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with a parliamentary majority. Therefore, Mitsotakis called for a snap election to take place on the 25th of June, which will use a majority bonus system making a majority win for his party more likely.
#Greece #GreekElections #Mitsotakis
Marios L. Evriviades is a Professor of International Relations and History at Neapolis University Pafos. He is also a Senior Fellow at ERPIC. Prof. Evrivaides holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of New Hampshire, an M.A. in International Relations, an M.A.L.D. in Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Ph.D. in International Relations, all from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. -
The Recent Hydrocarbon Developments in Lebanon
The Recent Hydrocarbon Developments in Lebanon
Laury Haytayan
Energy Policy Expert in the Middle East and North Africa
7 June 2023
The situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate without any clear path to recovery. The political, financial, and economic crisis that hit the country in 2019 is still ongoing. Additionally, there is currently a political void due to the fact that Lebanese political parties have been unable to elect a new president since Michel Aoun's presidency ended in October 2022.
However, there have been some breakthroughs, particularly in the oil and gas sector. In October 2022, Lebanon and Israel reached a maritime delimitation agreement, resolving a decade-long dispute between the two countries. This agreement has opened the door for the revival of hydrocarbon activities in Lebanon.
Laury Haytayan is a Lebanese energy policy expert with special interest in the geopolitics of oil in the Middle East and North Africa. She is also a host of Energy Espresso podcast.
#Lebanon #LebanonEnergy #EasternMediterranean
Visit us at: www.erpic.org
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The China-Brokered Saudi Arabia-Iran Rapprochement
The China-Brokered Saudi Arabia-Iran Rapprochement
Ephraim Sneh
Brigadier General (Retired), Israel Defense Forces
Chairman, S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue
15 March 2023
Recently, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations as a result of a deal mediated by China. Dr. Sneh gives his view on whether the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement will be a lasting one. He also touches upon China's potential future role in the Middle East.
#China #Iran #SaudiArabia
Dr. Ephraim Sneh is an Israeli politician, physician, and retired brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party. From 1994 to 1996 he served as a Minister of Health. In 1999 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense, and in 2001 he was appointed Minister of Transportation. He is currently chairman of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue.
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Judicial Reform Crisis in Israel
Judicial Reform Crisis in Israel
Ephraim Sneh
Brigadier General (Retired), Israel Defense Forces
Chairman, S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue
15 March 2023
#Israel #IsraelPoliticalCrisis #IsraelJudiciaryReform
Dr. Ephraim Sneh is an Israeli politician, physician, and retired brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party. From 1994 to 1996 he served as a Minister of Health. In 1999 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense, and in 2001 he was appointed Minister of Transportation. He is currently chairman of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue.
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The Current Status of US-Turkish Relations
The Current Status of US-Turkish Relations
Alan Makovsky
Center for American Progress
10 January 2023
Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for National Security and International Policy at American Progress. From 2001 to 2013, he served as a senior professional staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he covered the Middle East, Turkey, and other related issues. At the Washington Institute for Near East Policy—a private think tank where he worked from 1994 to 2001—Makovsky wrote widely on various Middle Eastern and Turkish topics. He also founded and directed the Washington Institute’s Turkey Research Program. At the State Department where he worked from 1983 to 1994—Makovsky variously covered southern European affairs and Middle Eastern affairs for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He also served as the political advisor to Operation Provide Comfort in 1992 and as the special advisor to the special Middle East coordinator from 1993 to 1994. -
The Global Energy Outlook
The Global Energy Outlook
Glenn Labhart
Labhart Risk Advisors Inc.
Glenn Labhart is a Partner at Labhart Risk Advisors Inc., a Texas based organization incorporated in 2004 that provides subject matter expertise to assist clients in producing value-added, profitable strategies while maintaining oversight and control of their operations. Labhart Risk Advisors has advised and led capital projects on $4.5 BN of real-option, market-based strategies to a clientele of Energy, Financial Services,Private Equity and Real Estate companies.
In 2002, Glenn Labhart was awarded the Global Association of Risk Professionals Risk Manager of the Year and served as the Chairman of the Energy Oversight Committee for the Energy Risk Program from 2005 to 2021. His professional memberships include the United State Energy Economics Association, and the International Energy Economics Association.
