The 1st High-Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Egypt, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, met today at Maximos Mansion.
The two leaders reaffirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations and welcomed the sealing of this excellent level of relations, by upgrading it to a Strategic Partnership, as provided for in the Joint Declaration they signed.
The Joint Declaration now establishes regular contacts at all levels and in a number of areas of cooperation, while regular political consultations establish the monitoring of the implementation of decisions.
The Prime Minister made a special reference to the common vision of Greece and Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean, in an environment of increased uncertainty, and placed particular emphasis on the prospects of strengthening cooperation in energy, trade relations and migration.
The importance of the GREGY Interconnector project for the energy security of both Europe and Africa and the key role of Greece as Europe’s energy gateway for the import of “green” electricity from North Africa were also reaffirmed.
The two leaders also discussed the implementation of the agreement between Greece and Egypt on the recruitment of seasonal workers.
Moreover, they referred to the special symbolism of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai and the importance of preserving its character as a living and functioning beacon of the Greek Orthodox world.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi exchanged views on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, with emphasis on the situation in Gaza, Syria and Libya, as well as the Cyprus issue.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated that Greece considers Egypt a key partner with a pivotal role in regional developments.
In the framework of the 1st High-Level Cooperation Council, three Memoranda of Understanding were signed on Shipping, Cultural Cooperation and on Information and Communication Technology.
After the conclusion of the plenary session of the High-Level Cooperation Council, the two leaders made statements.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement:
I welcome to Athens my very good friend, President El-Sisi, and all the members of the Egyptian delegation, in the context of the 1st High-Level Cooperation Council between our two countries, which underlines the importance and the great potential of the relations between Greece and Egypt. Relations with very deep roots in history, but also with very strong branches, which are bearing fruit in the present and are also ripe to spread far into the future.
With the Declaration on the Strategic Partnership, which we have just signed, we are actively confirming our common will to further enhance our close cooperation. While the regular consultations we have decided on, the memoranda of understanding we have signed open up important new avenues in many fields: from energy and shipping, to education, culture, but also our bilateral trade relations, which we have agreed to work intensively to make even stronger.
I want to stress that we have had and continue to have a very close cooperation with Egypt on very critical issues in the region, which we always approach in accordance with the principles of International Law. Five years ago we signed an agreement on the delimitation of maritime zones, an exemplary agreement, important for the entire Eastern Mediterranean, which is bearing fruit for both our countries.
Between Greece and Egypt there are sound foundations for us to continue together, in a coordinated manner, to address the common challenges that exist in our broader environment. And today Athens and Cairo – I want to stress this – are on the same side of the river in the face of these major challenges.
And allow me at this point, Mr President, to make a special reference to the Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai, a rare monument of cultural heritage, which connects our two countries. I would like to thank you in particular for your personal interest – I stress, your personal interest – which you have shown in protecting the Monastery and its Greek Orthodox character.
In the midst of growing international uncertainty, our countries are pillars of stability, with common aspirations on major problems in the region. The first, of course, is the Cyprus issue, whose just and viable solution we support, a solution always based on the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. And I would like to thank Egypt for its long-standing support in this effort.
We know that such a development would work to the benefit not only of the Republic of Cyprus, but also of the entire Eastern Mediterranean. That is why even today unacceptable positions regarding two states cannot be circulated, nor can provocative statements, which ultimately only succeed in charging the climate of rapprochement and dialogue which is currently attempting to gain some additional momentum.
To put it differently: no illegal fait accompli can be valid in the future.
We also discussed with my friend, the President, the central role that Egypt has in a new ceasefire in Gaza. Today, the first priority is to stop the hostilities and, above all, to restore the flow of humanitarian aid to the civilians. And immediately afterwards, and with the active participation of both our states, to launch a sincere political process on the Palestinian issue, with the aim of what we agree is the only feasible two-state solution.
In this context, I would like to say that our country welcomes the Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, in the preparation of which Egypt is playing a very important role. This is an excellent initiative, which also provides a realistic basis for discussion for the next day.
And I want to reiterate that Greece, which this month also holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council, is ready to contribute to any initiative that will attempt to promote and strengthen regional stability.
Our positions are also common with regard to developments in Syria. We are in favour of the territorial integrity of a single state, with the participation of all Syrians, which will also operate on the basis of International Law and the Law of the Sea. I think that the new leadership will also have to demonstrate in practice that it will move in this direction.
I am referring, of course, to the protection of the rights of all Syrian citizens, of women, of all communities, with an emphasis on Christians. Events such as the massacres which unfortunately – tragic massacres, of Alawi Christians last March, of Druze recently – send out negative messages and the only response should be that those responsible should soon be brought to justice.
We also discussed the issues that concern us, the issues of Libya, the situation that prevails, the need to revive a political process, to stop foreign interventions of destabilisation and to finally, at some point, lead this country, which is in so much pain, to elections, so that the people themselves can decide freely about their future.
We discussed issues concerning migration, illegal migration, legal migration. I want to thank President Sisi for the perseverance he has shown so that we can put into practice the agreement we have signed on the legal transfer of labour from Egypt to our country. There are many opportunities, not only in the primary sector, but in the construction sector, in the manufacturing sector.
Greece and Egypt are two friendly countries and we want to give the opportunity to Egyptians, young Egyptians, to come legally to our country, to work here. This is the best answer to those who claim that Greece’s and Europe’s policy is limited to restricting illegal migration.
It should not be up to the traffickers, Mr President, to choose who enters the European Union. It should be an organised decision, taken sovereignly by the states of Europe, through close cooperation and in close cooperation with friendly countries such as Egypt.
Finally, I would like to refer to the very great importance that we attach to freedom of navigation, to the safety of navigation, with great emphasis on the events that are taking place in the Red Sea and which have a significant impact on the economy of Egypt, in terms of the traffic that passes through the Suez Canal.
Greece has developed very strong mobility in this area. In fact, on 20 May I will have the opportunity to chair a special session of the United Nations Security Council on freedom of navigation, maritime security, an issue on which our interests are fully aligned.
Finally, Mr.President, I would like to reiterate that Greece is a firm ally of Egypt on issues regarding your country’s relations with the European Union. We have also played our part so that we could sign this important Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Egypt.
A relationship that will give us the opportunity to be able to finance and develop major projects of common interest, such as the electrical interconnection project, the GREGY interconnector, which will enable Greece and Europe to import cheap energy, solar, but primarily wind, which you have the ability to produce at a very competitive cost and export to Europe.
And of course, I would like to reiterate that in the energy sector there are many other projects of common interest that we can mature, such as, for example, carbon dioxide transport and storage projects, but also joint initiatives that we can undertake in the context of the strong interest that my country, Greece, is showing in the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons, primarily natural gas, in the basin south of Crete.
In fact, the Minister of Energy and the Environment and the Deputy Minister responsible will shortly travel to Houston in the United States to have discussions with both Exxon and Chevron on how these projects can be brought to maturity as quickly as possible.
Let me conclude, Mr President, by thanking you again for the productive discussions. Let me reiterate that we feel that we are welcoming a true friend to our country. It is very important that we are fully aligned in this turbulent international environment.
And let me conclude by expressing my warmest congratulations on the operation and opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum which you are preparing for the month of July, a flagship project for the promotion of Egyptian culture. We are sure that we will be with you at this very important moment for your country.
