Nicosia: President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have signed a strategic partnership Declaration in Nicosia, aiming to formalize the strategic relations between the two nations by adopting an Action Plan to further operationalize their bilateral partnership.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Declaration was signed on the sidelines of an informal EUCO hosted in Nicosia during the Cyprus EU Presidency. It establishes the Government-to-Government Annual Summit as the primary forum for steering the strategic partnership at the highest level, to be held annually and alternately in Nicosia and Cairo.
Cyprus and Egypt have committed to continuing their political dialogue and coordination through their Foreign Ministers and bilateral political consultations, and to increasing direct contact among government ministers to explore collaborations in areas such as labor, tourism, and climate.
The agreement also includes reconstituting the Cyprus-Egypt Parliamentary Group of Friends and continuing cooperation within international organizations on issues of mutual concern. Security and defense cooperation is highlighted as a fundamental pillar, with Cyprus recognizing Egypt's role as a stability pillar in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa.
Furthermore, the Declaration supports the participation of Egyptian experts in training programs by the Cyprus Centre for Land, Open Seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS) and cooperation in law enforcement, especially in preventing cultural goods trafficking. Military relations will be deepened through exchanges between military academies and establishing a Joint Military Committee.
In firefighting, both countries welcome the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) establishment to ensure faster responses to fire disasters. In the energy sector, they welcome landmark agreements at EGYPES and EMC Cyprus, which advance collaboration on natural gas and renewable energy sources.
The Declaration also proposes forming a Cyprus-Egypt Business Council to enhance trade and investment, with a Business Forum scheduled alongside the 3rd Government-to-Government Summit in Nicosia. The countries agree to foster economic relations, focusing on sectors like tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Maritime cooperation will be strengthened through the Cypriot-Egyptian Joint Maritime Committee, affirming collaboration in merchant shipping, ports, and maritime training. Cultural and educational cooperation will be enhanced by preserving common heritage and promoting cultural exchanges.
Both countries agree to dialogue on climate change, focusing on water and food security, and to formalize cooperation in water resource management. They also aim to enhance labor mobility and align Egyptian workers' skills with Cypriot market needs.
In digital transformation, Cyprus and Egypt will strengthen cooperation in developing e-government services, promoting emerging technologies, and fostering innovation in ICT. The partnership includes supporting startups and joint participation in research and development initiatives.