A news article referring to the strategic value of the proposed corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe (Imec), as discussed between senior officials of Cyprus and Greece caught the eye of US President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday reposted it on the Truth Social platform.

The article by Breitbart News referred to Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides discussing the Imec with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, during a panel discussion in early February hosted by Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle at the Delphi Forum hosted by the Hellenic American Leadership Council in Washington, DC.

In the article titled ‘Mediterranean leaders excited for possibilities of peace, economic agreements with Trump’s return,’ Papadopoulou is quoted as saying, “When you see the map, the map speaks by itself.”

“You have the land, and you have the sea. All the dots are there and Greece and Cyprus can serve as the glue that brings that part of the world connected to the European Union through a corridor that provides political stability, economic openness because this is a free market – we’re members of the European Union – and very strong alliance with the United States. So, you have all the elements in place,” Papadopoulou said.

Papadopoulou also said she was “glad there is now a new, renewed American interest in the region”.

Asked by Breitbart how America, Cyprus, Greece and Israel, otherwise known as the ‘3+1’, can promote peace in the Middle East, Ioannides said the Abraham Accords “was a huge success of the first Trump administration”.

“Thus, the attempts for revival of this process is a very welcome development,” he said.

“I’d like to stress that the Republic of Cyprus, as the southeasternmost EU member state, is a strong strategic partner of both the United States and Israel. Therefore, we believe that and we’re ready to be part of a revived process within the context of Abraham Accords,” Ioannides said.

Other news sources said the Imec was discussed during a recent meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on February 28.

The article says Ioannides and Papadopoulou expressed optimism over Trump’s election, saying it would promote economic cooperation and peace treaties in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

On Tuesday the Cyprus Mail tried to contact Ioannides, but he could not be reached for comment.

Breitbart News is a staunchly pro-Israel publication. Co-founder Larry Solov has described the news site as “unapologetically pro-freedom and pro-Israel”.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is a planned economic corridor aiming to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe. The corridor is a proposed route from India to Europe through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Greece.

In September 2023 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit by the governments of India, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.

The project was launched to bolster transportation and communication links between Europe and Asia through rail and shipping networks and is seen as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The memorandum of understanding document has only mapped out the potential geography of a corridor and will compete against the current trade route going through the Suez Canal.

The project had been delayed due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.

The Imec got a new lease and enthusiasm has returned to the project during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the White House after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Israel is understood to be very keen on promoting the project.

In September 2024, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the corridor a “blessing” for the Middle East in his address to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.