The President of the Republic Mr Nikos Christodoulides met today, at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, with the President of Egypt Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with whom he had a private meeting. Upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic was received by President Sisi, while a military contingent paid tribute and the national anthems of the two countries were played.
On the sidelines of the meeting between President Christodoulides and President Sisi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Constantinos Kombos and Energy Minister George Papanastasiou had separate meetings with their counterparts.
During the talks, the two countries expressed their willingness to jointly support the inclusion of the electrical interconnection cable project in the list of possible projects to be financed by the European Commission. It was also agreed to set up a Business Council with a view to strengthening relations between the business communities of the two countries.
The two Presidents then made statements to the media.
The President of the Republic in his statements said the following. Indeed, within the holy month of Ramadan. It is with feelings of special honour, responsibility and a clear political will to further strengthen our historically excellent relations that I am visiting Cairo today, for the first time as President of the Republic of Cyprus. Egypt is my second visit after Greece and this has both symbolic and much more substantial significance, as it fully reflects our clear political will to further strengthen our cooperation, what we see as a strategic partnership between Egypt and Cyprus.
A relationship that we will work to strengthen for the benefit of both countries and our entire region. A region in which Egypt plays a decisive and leading role.
This relationship between Cyprus and Egypt is successful because it is based on a number of facts. And the most basic of these facts is the mutual respect and honesty that govern our discussions. They are conducted on an equal basis, always within the framework of the rules of international law. It serves the interests of both countries equally and is governed by a common vision, a vision we share for a stable, peaceful and prosperous region in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.
Of course, our long common path, our historical ties, which I would like to mention, as evidenced by the Egyptian Cypriot community, also contribute to this excellent cooperation, perfect understanding and understanding.
Today, President Sisi and I have discussed a wide range of issues related to both our bilateral relations and regional issues.
I am very pleased, I must express my satisfaction, because we both see the importance of conducting an initial review of our bilateral relations in order to go further, very specifically in a number of areas such as energy, the electrical interconnection, further strengthening our cooperation in the areas of defence and security, trade and investment, which is an area where we need to work even more, tourism and a number of issues in general.
I also want to underline the importance of our energy cooperation. It was this that first initiated this strengthening of our ties and our cooperation both bilaterally and regionally. It is an integral part of our strategic relationship and at the regional level it stands out, of course, and I want to mention it. Ten years ago it was something that nobody could have imagined that we would have such a development in our region. The establishment of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum is a milestone development, which was made possible under the leadership of President Sisi, under the leadership of Egypt, and Cyprus will continue to work for further integration, further cooperation within the framework of this organisation. Egypt is the first country with which Cyprus has initiated this kind of cooperation, this kind of joint meetings. We also look forward to holding our next meeting with Greece, and we also exchanged views on further expanding these formations, always on an ad hoc basis with other countries in the region. I consider particularly important at this juncture, but also taking into account the developments both in our region and at the international level, the convergence of approaches between Egypt and Cyprus in addressing all these regional and international issues, which should always be based on respect for international law and the principles and values of the United Nations Charter. This attitude, our common principled stance, our commitment to principles such as the peaceful settlement of disputes and good neighbourly relations and the compliance of both countries with the rules of customary law, such as the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, ensure and demonstrate that our cooperation, our common approach, is neither ephemeral nor opportunistic.
The above is only part of our countries' common pursuit of security and stability both in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the wider region.
I also had the opportunity today to brief President Sisi on developments in the Cyprus issue and to thank him for Egypt's enduring stance. In particular, within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Egypt has always demonstrated particular sensitivity to the issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity not only of Cyprus, but of all countries in general.
We have discussed, for us it is of particular importance, Egypt's relationship with the European Union, and as the Republic of Cyprus we have a responsibility, and we do so as a member state of the European Union in the region, to work to further strengthen this cooperation, but at the same time for Brussels to recognise the important, decisive role that Egypt plays in creating conditions of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. You can be sure, Mr. President, that this support will not only continue, but will be further strengthened.
And I want to give an example. Today Egypt hosts at least seven million migrants and Egypt is a country which, unlike other countries in the region, does not receive any financial support from the European Union on this issue. It is something that we as the European Union, recognising precisely this role that Egypt plays, should also respond by supporting the country against this most important challenge, especially at a time when all of us, all countries, are facing economic difficulties, precisely because of the developments in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
Another issue that we discussed today, an issue that also affects the food security of Egypt and other countries, of course we discussed the issue that arises with the Renaissance Dam, an issue of colossal and existential importance for Egypt, the situation in Libya and of course the Middle East.
Our position is clear with regard to the solution, a solution based on the United Nations resolutions, but at the same time we recognise the role that Egypt plays, as recently with the Gaza crisis, which it was your contribution that led to the de-escalation.
In conclusion, I would like to thank once again the President of Egypt, the Egyptian Government and the fraternal people for their warm welcome and express the wish that I will soon have the opportunity to reciprocate this excellent hospitality in Cyprus as well."
For his part, President Sisi said, among other things, speaking through an interpreter, that the two countries enjoy relations of strategic importance and cooperation, while referring to the substantial strengthening of bilateral relations under the government of Nicos Anastasiades.
He added that today they discussed energy issues and the transfer of Cypriot natural gas to its liquefaction plants in Egypt, as well as the issue of electrical interconnection and green energy.
He also said that Egypt looks forward to cooperation with Cyprus in development and production sectors.
He stressed the need for countries to respect the absolute sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries within the framework of international law, noting that Cyprus has Egypt's support in the Cyprus issue and is always trying to contribute to its resolution through UN Security Council resolutions.
He also referred to the successful trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt.
(PM/AF)
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