President El-Sisi Receives Prime Minister of Greece

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met today with Greek PM Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr. Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Eng. Tarek El-Molla, and Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the meeting witnessed bilateral talks followed by extensive discussions between the delegations of the two countries. His Excellency welcomed the Greek PM, praising the distinguished level of the long-standing and growing, strategic bilateral relations between Egypt and Greece in all fields.

The President further stressed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen joint cooperation between the two friendly countries at various levels, particularly at the political, military, trade, and energy levels. The President also asserted Egypt’s willingness to enhance the existing cooperation within the framework of the tripartite mechanism with Cyprus in a way that achieves their mutual interests and goals in the East Mediterranean as well as to face the various challenges in the region.

For his part, the Greek PM expressed his country’s pride in the close cooperative relationship it has with Egypt since this relation sets a model for constructive cooperation between the Mediterranean countries, particularly in light of Egypt’s distinguished position, regional leverage, and pivotal role in the region under the leadership of the President.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Greece would remain one of Egypt’s supporters inside the European Union, affirming Greece’s keenness to strengthen joint cooperation between the two countries as well as to develop the tripartite cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. This cooperation mechanism is considered successful and effective for promoting coordination and regular institutional cooperation in achieving economic and social development for the three countries.

The Spokesman added that the meeting discussed ways to enhance the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries. In this context, consensus was reached on the importance of working to strengthen joint cultural ties to shed light on the long-standing relations between the two states. In addition, the two sides stressed the importance of furthering cooperation between Egypt and Greece, particularly in the areas of electrical interconnection, bilateral trade and tourism, as the world is witnessing an economic damage brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for making concerted efforts to confront the negative impact of the pandemic at various levels.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on regional issues of mutual interests since the two countries share similar positions and are consistent with their interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. In addition, the two sides affirmed that the East Med Gas Forum represents one of the most important tools that could open up new prospects for cooperation and investment between the countries of the region in the field of energy and gas.

The developments in the Palestinian question were also examined; the Greek Prime Minister expressed his country’s sincere appreciation for the Egyptian efforts under the leadership of President El-Sisi; these efforts led to a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Greece also commended the Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the Greek PM added. In this context, President El-Sisi affirmed the importance of expediting the work of the revival of peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides on the basis of the resolutions of international legitimacy and the rules of international law.

The latest developments in Libya were also discussed; consensus was reached on supporting the current political track until the elections, scheduled for the end of the year, are held. They further affirmed that all foreign forces and mercenaries must leave the Libyan territories so that Libya would restore its sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability and its people get back their homeland.

Regarding the Nile water, the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) were examined. In this context, they agreed on the importance of reaching a fair and balanced legal agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD in a manner that achieves the interests of the three countries and maintains regional stability. They further stressed the need to urge the international community to play a serious role in this file, adding that it is also necessary that all parties demonstrate goodwill and political will in the current negotiations.

At the close of the meeting, the two sides held a joint press conference.