Egypt hosts summit to boost economic, energy cooperation with Greece, Greek Cypriot Administration

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) – The leaders of Egypt, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot Administration held summit talks in Cairo on Wednesday to advance their bilateral cooperation.

Addressing a press conference following the 10th Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism Summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called the meeting “a model” for promoting stability and development in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He emphasized the importance of boosting economic cooperation among the three sides, with a business forum taking place alongside the summit.

The forum aims to “enhance investments and trade exchanges among the business communities of the three countries,” he added.

Sisi stressed that this forum represents a significant step toward achieving shared economic development goals.

The summit was attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Christodoulides. It coincided with the second session of the Joint High-Level Committee between Egypt and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

The three leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, notably energy, economy, and regional security.

Energy was a key topic during the summit, with the three leaders agreeing on the importance of developing joint projects in renewable energy, electricity interconnection, and natural gas transportation.

He also welcomed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the three sides, underscoring the need for their effective implementation to achieve “shared economic benefits.”

- Regional developments

On the political front, the summit saw discussions about the latest regional developments.

Sisi said the summit addressed the “humanitarian disaster” faced by Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s genocidal war on the enclave.

The Egyptian leader stressed the need for a “comprehensive cease-fire” and “immediate access to humanitarian aid” in Gaza.

He also emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on international references and UN resolutions “is the only path to sustainable peace.”

The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed almost 46,000 people, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Regarding the situation in Syria and Libya, Sisi highlighted the need for “stability and security in Syria.”

“Syrian unity and sovereignty must be respected,” he stressed.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's decades-long regime.

The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

A new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken control of the country.

Sisi said the three leaders reaffirmed the importance of "achieving political and security stability in Libya” to ensure regional security.

Efforts by the UN and local authorities to bring Libya to elections continue as part of attempts to end divisions since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.

Since then, the oil-rich country has remained divided into two parts. One is governed by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, which enjoys international recognition, and the other by Benghazi-based military commander Khalifa Haftar.

- Bilateral cooperation

The Egyptian president emphasized ongoing cooperation with the Greek Cypriot Administration.

He pointed to notable progress in various bilateral cooperation areas, such as energy, the utilization of Mediterranean natural resources, and collaboration in “maritime security, technology, education, and scientific research.”

Sisi expressed gratitude to the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece for their “significant role” in supporting Egypt over the past decade, especially during challenging political and economic periods.

Wednesday’s summit was the tenth of its kind since the launch of the trilateral cooperation mechanism in 2014, which also included a business forum for the three sides.

Since its inception, nine summits have been held, with the first in Cairo in November 2014 and the most recent in Athens in October 2021.