Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for natural gas cooperation with Cyprus, as he paid his first-ever visit to the island.

Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for natural gas cooperation with Cyprus, as he paid his first-ever visit to the island.

Talking about "international relationship" between Zionist entity and Cyprus, Netanyahu stressed the two countries' natural gas interests in the Mediterranean amid rising tensions with Turkey.

"I came here to develop our bilateral ties, our economic ties and ties in the field of energy," Netanyahu said after talks with Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias.

"We're interested in developing peaceful relations for the benefit of our two countries and the region as a whole."

In an apparent nod to Turkey, he added: "We have no ulterior motives and no hidden motives here."

Hours before his arrival, the Turks threatened to bar the Cypriots from exploring in waters that Ankara says do not belong to Cyprus.

In the same context, Netanyahu signed an agreement to permit Israeli aircraft to enter Cypriot airspace during an emergency or disaster.

Media reported that the agreement included the establishment of a base for the Israel Air Force and a military alliance between the countries.