We met today in Cairo with our friends, President El-Sisi and President Christodoulides, in the framework of the 10th Trilateral Summit between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, a resilient and highly productive, as it turns out, cooperation scheme, which I believe is the most advanced such scheme in the wider region.
Indeed, in the midst of multiple crises and challenges, both regionally and internationally, here in Cairo we have once again confirmed that we will continue to work consistently to further strengthen our cooperation. And with prosperity, security and, above all, stability in the broader region as the permanent focus of our movements, while implementing a wide range of actions, from investment and cultural exchanges to defence and port cooperation.
I would like, in turn, to express my satisfaction with the high level of participation in the business forum which is being held in parallel with our trilateral conference.
We reiterated the commitment of our three countries to strengthen our strategic alliance in the energy sector, for the benefit of national and European priorities. This emphasises energy security, increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources, but also the great importance we attach to electrical interconnections, with the first, flagship project GREGY, which will effectively connect Greece and Egypt, making our two countries an energy “bridge” for the transport of clean energy, from the wind and the sun, from North Africa to Europe.
I would also like to stress the very great importance that we attach to a growing market, the carbon capture and storage market, which will be of particular importance as European industry moves towards a fast carbonisation framework and that is where we can, I believe, work very substantially with Egypt to develop joint initiatives that will be mutually beneficial.
Athens, Cairo and Nicosia are jointly addressing all the major regional challenges in the region. My friend Nikos also referred to the Cyprus issue. We reaffirmed our full support for the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to find a just and viable solution, always within the framework of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
And I think it is of particular importance to stress that such a resolution of the Cyprus issue would create unprecedented conditions of political stability and economic prosperity throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, especially in these turbulent times.
And we share the prospects for the future of our broader neighbourhood, jointly building peace, stability and cooperation, but also jointly rejecting any action outside the framework of international legitimacy, any action that would cause unnecessary tensions in the region.
We discussed at length the developments in Syria. We reaffirmed our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a united Syria, the need for and our commitment to an inclusive process involving all Syrians. And it goes without saying that the new leadership of the country must demonstrate in practice that it respects International Law, that it protects the rights of all minorities, Christians, other religious and ethnic minorities, that it safeguards Syria’s rich, unparalleled cultural heritage.
We also pointed out the risk of renewed conflict inside Syria, which, among other things, may hinder the voluntary and safe return of refugees, which is not only a Greek and Cypriot, but also a European priority. And we are committed to intensify our efforts to normalize the situation and prevent any radicalization.
This is precisely why Syria’s path towards the future lies within the rules of International Law, rules that our three countries have repeatedly demonstrated that they respect. After all, Greece and Cyprus have signed Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreements with our friend Egypt, agreements that are fully – I repeat, fully – based on the International Law of the Sea.
We also discussed the central, crucial role of Egypt in trying to achieve a much-needed ceasefire in Gaza. It is so necessary today, more than ever, to relieve the civilians, to free the hostages, and this is the basic precondition for being able to relaunch a political process on the Palestinian issue, with a view to a two-state solution, the only solution – we believe – that can bring about a lasting peace in the region.
We also discussed Lebanon, our support for the ceasefire in Lebanon, our wish that a new President could be elected soon, possibly tomorrow, in that country.
We discussed developments in Libya. We considered it imperative to somehow revive this ‘frozen’ peace process and, above all, to stop interference, for third-party forces to withdraw, whether they be tactical or mercenary, to restore national sovereignty and then to leave the Libyan people free to decide their future through free elections.
And all of the above are developments that inevitably affect the flows of refugees and migrants. It is therefore only natural that Greece, Cyprus and Egypt should coordinate their steps in this field as well. All the more so when Egypt plays a crucial role in the chapter of irregular migration, where we seek maximum commitment to contain large migratory flows to Europe via Libya. And here I congratulate President Sisi for the extraordinary commitment he has shown to protecting his country’s maritime borders.
But it is very important at the same time, as we fight illegal immigration and the vile traffickers who endanger innocent human souls, that we also intensify our cooperation on legal immigration. I would like to welcome the fact that we already have a transnational agreement with Egypt, which we are putting into force and which we want to extend further to other categories of workers.
Moreover, migration is also one of the serious chapters in Cairo’s relations with Brussels, where cooperation must be intensified. As my friend Nikos said, Cyprus and Greece have taken the lead in signing this agreement for a comprehensive and strategic partnership between the European Union and Egypt, and the importance of Egypt for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, but ultimately also for the European Union itself, is now recognised by all members of the European Council. And I am delighted that tomorrow the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, will be here in Cairo to discuss with you matters relating to this agreement.
In the same spirit, we have also referred to the importance of protecting free navigation, the maritime trade routes in this particularly sensitive area, which is absolutely crucial for Egypt and for the traffic that passes through the Suez Canal.
And I would like to stress that this issue of freedom of navigation will be one of the central issues of Greece’s priorities in the context of the increased responsibilities that Greece assumes as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council as of January 1st of this year.
I conclude, my dear President, optimistic that this alliance between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus will continue on even more solid ground.
And I want to thank you once again for the excellent cooperation here in Cairo.
