President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met today in Nicosia with President Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Upgrading relations between Egypt and Cyprus
The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic stated that the meeting began with President Sisi and the Cypriot President signing the joint declaration to raise relations between Egypt and Cyprus to the level of strategic partnership, culminating the distinguished path of historical and long-standing relations between the two countries and the two friendly peoples.
Ambassador Mohamed El Shenawy, the official spokesperson, added that the meeting between the two presidents included the President’s confirmation of his pride in visiting Cyprus, where he expressed his appreciation to the Cypriot side for their hospitality and warm welcome.
For his part, the Cypriot President welcomed the President’s visit and his participation in the consultative meeting held between a number of leaders of Arab and European countries and European Union officials, stressing that the meeting represents an opportunity to exchange views on developments in regional and international situations.
The official spokesperson stated that the President praised the level of bilateral relations and cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus in various fields, noting the importance of continuing to work on enhancing bilateral relations in a way that achieves the common interests of both sides, especially in the areas of trade and investment, and in the sectors of labor, tourism and energy.
The latest developments regarding linking the Cypriot gas fields to the Egyptian infrastructure were also discussed, for the purpose of local consumption and export from Egypt.
For his part, the Cypriot President praised the growing trajectory of bilateral relations between the two countries, noting the appreciated Egyptian efforts in combating illegal immigration, and the need for the European Union to share the burdens with Egypt as a result of hosting large numbers of refugees.
The Cypriot President also praised the level of consultation and political coordination between Egypt and Cyprus on regional and international issues, in order to promote regional peace and security.
In this context, the President discussed with the Cypriot President the latest regional developments, where the President reviewed the Egyptian efforts aimed at reducing tension in the region and restoring regional peace and stability, in connection with the Iranian issue, which the Cypriot President appreciated, expressing his appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in this regard.
He praised the valuable interventions of the President during the meeting of EU countries with a number of regional partner countries, and the Egyptian vision of the regional situation, which was highly appreciated by European leaders.
The two presidents also discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, stressing the need for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip, the imperative of allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip without restrictions, and the need to quickly begin the reconstruction process in the Strip.
