Further deepening of cooperation between Athens and Cairo

The excellent state of our bilateral relations, regional security issues, and the strengthening of cooperation in areas such as energy and the economy were the focus of the Prime Minister’s meetings, Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the prime minister, Mustafa Madbouli.

The prime minister's visit, at the invitation of Mr. Al-Sisi, comes seven months after the Egyptian President’s visit to Athens and is part of the frequent bilateral contacts and the steady improvement observed in relations with Cairo.

Greece and Egypt are, after all, members of regional cooperation frameworks, such as the trilateral cooperation with Cyprus, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, and the newly established «Friendship Forum,» organizations based on the International Law, good-neighborly relations, and the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region Mediterranean.

During the meeting with President Al Sisi, it was confirmed that mutual understanding which has been established in a number of important areas, the strategic nature of the bilateral relations, as well as the mutual desire to further strengthen cooperation between Athens and Cairo.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis briefed Mr. Al Sisi on developments in Greek-Turkish relations and on his recent meeting with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the Summit of the NATO.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkey is possible in certain areas, such as trade, environmental protection, and tourism

The prime minister pointed out that diametrically opposed positions continue to exist on serious issues, but in certain areas—such as trade, environmental protection, and tourism, mutually beneficial cooperation is possible. He also stressed the need to maintain the de-escalation and relative calm of recent times, clarifying that only under these conditions will it be possible to gradually foster a climate of trust and improve relations.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis thanked Mr. Al-Sisi for Egypt's steadfast support in the efforts to resolve the issue Cyprus based on its resolutions United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that the relevant decisions establish the sole and binding framework for negotiations.

In this context, the prime minister reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot proposal for a two-state solution cannot serve as a basis for negotiation, as it is in complete contradiction with UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire, which provide a solution Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation with a single sovereignty, a single international identity, and a single citizenship.

Regarding the Libya, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mr. Al Sisi agreed that the withdrawal of all foreign military forces, both regular and mercenary, is an essential prerequisite for the success of the stabilization process in the country, which, moreover, borders Egypt by land and Greece by sea.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their shared position that a political solution in the neighboring country must be based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Berlin Process, as Libya heads toward the scheduled elections in December.

Mr. Mitsotakis and President Al-Sisi discussed ways to broaden and deepen the already multifaceted Greek-Egyptian cooperation, with an emphasis on energy, security, and the economy.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Energy, who also took part in the meetings of the expanded delegations, Kostas Skrekas, the director of the Prime Minister's Diplomatic Office, Ambassador Eleni Surani, the government spokesperson, Aristotelia Peloni, the director of the National Intelligence Service, Panayiotis Kontoleon, the National Security Advisor, Thanos Dokos and the Greek ambassador to Egypt, Nikos Garilidis.

Immediately afterward, Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with his Egyptian counterpart, Mustafa Madbouli, in a very positive atmosphere. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral economic and trade relations at length.

In his remarks before the meeting began, he emphasized economic cooperation between the two countries. He made special mention of the tourism sector following the pandemic and spoke at length about cooperation in the energy sector regarding the Greece-Egypt power interconnection and the Multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean in the natural gas sector.

Greece to serve as a transit hub for Egypt's energy exports

During the meeting, discussions focused, among other things, on the possibility of Greece serving as a transit hub for Egypt’s energy exports, utilizing, on the one hand, the upgraded liquefied natural gas terminal in Revythousa and, on the other hand, the planned floating terminal off the coast of Alexandroupoli, while the electricity interconnection between the two countries.

It was decided to further encourage business cooperation by promoting joint ventures in sectors such as renewable energy, telecommunications, tourism, environmental protection, and maritime cooperation.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that although economic ties are at a good level, there is still room for growth. He added that Greek companies have already built a very good reputation in Egypt and possess the expertise to contribute to infrastructure development there.

It should be noted that the prime minister’s first stop during his official visit was the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and the tomb of President Anwar Sadat, where he laid wreaths.

We discussed with Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the expansion of business cooperation through the promotion of joint ventures in sectors such as renewable energy, telecommunications, tourism, environmental protection, and maritime cooperation. pic.twitter.com/wIv84Biy3E

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) June 21, 2021

I attach great importance to the power connection between Greece and Egypt, via a high-capacity subsea cable that will transmit electricity—generated exclusively from renewable sources—to Greece and throughout Europe. pic.twitter.com/uDOcTYp8ul

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) June 21, 2021

With regard to developments in Libya, our positions are entirely aligned. We support a return to peace, for which the withdrawal of all foreign troops, the exclusion of outside influences, and the prospect of democratic elections before the end of the year are essential prerequisites. pic.twitter.com/wsacgFrGUl

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) June 21, 2021