Cairo 26 May 2022
I would like to start by thanking my esteemed colleague and dear friend Sameh, for his kind hospitality today in Cairo. As always, we had an excellent opportunity to have an in-depth discussion on the full range of our strategic partnership and to assess the progress made.
Of course, an important part of our discussion today was devoted to our fruitful bilateral relations, given that as Foreign Ministers we have been mandated by our Honorable Presidents to lead the preparations for the 2nd G2G to be held in Cyprus this autumn.
Today's meeting was another good opportunity to take stock of our trilateral cooperation with Greece. I had the opportunity to detail and update on the appointment of the Secretary General of the Trilateral Secretariat in Cyprus. A development which, I believe, will help coordination ahead of our 10th Trilateral Summit to be hosted by Egypt in the second half of the year.
Regarding our geographical region, we have assessed recent developments on regional cooperation issues and the particular challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean.
I also reiterated the importance of Egypt's responsible and stabilising role vis-à-vis Libya and its critical contribution to all aspects of the Middle East peace process, including the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the Ethiopian Dam, an issue of existential importance for Egypt, I reiterated Cyprus' full support for the achievement of a comprehensive and legally binding solution.
In addition, Sameh and I exchanged views on the current situation in EU-Egypt relations. Egypt is a strategic stronghold in the region and an important partner, and Cyprus will continue to actively support the maintenance of a good momentum in EU-Egypt relations.
We also discussed the current situation in Ukraine and its dramatic energy implications on food security, which add to the challenges that have a significant impact on our region. This makes our cooperation even more imperative.
That said, I am pleased to note that the EU recognizes that the Eastern Mediterranean can play an important role as an alternative energy corridor, both for gas transport and for cleaner energy sources such as green hydrogen and renewable energy through electricity interconnection. Egypt, too, as host of COP 27, cannot but have a central role in all the options under consideration.
I strongly believe that such synergies are of central importance. Formations such as the successful example of the EMGF, which Cyprus is chairing this year, are shining examples of regional multilateral cooperation based on principles and common strategic interests.
Finally, today's meeting also gave me the opportunity to update Sameh on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and to thank him for Egypt's valuable, continued and unwavering support.
Once again, my dear Sameh, thank you for your warm hospitality.
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