The strategic relations between Cyprus and Egypt were confirmed during the three-day working visit that Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has paid in Cairo.
According to a press release by the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, Kasoulides concluded on Thursday his working visit in Egypt, where he held a tete-a-tete meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Hassan Shoukry, followed by consultations in the presence of officials by the two Ministries.
The meetings focused i.a. on bilateral relations and practical ways to further strengthen them in a series of sectors including economy, tourism and energy, the tripartite cooperation mechanisms, the Cyprus issue, energy issues, EU-Egypt relations, as well as other regional and international issues of common interest.
It is noted that through a productive dialogue they confirmed the strategic relations between Cyprus and Egypt as well as the role that both countries can play in creating conditions of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The press release adds that the Cypriot Foreign Minister highlighted Egypt’s role in managing security challenges in the region, as well as the need to strengthen the EU-Egypt relations.
The two Ministers agreed to deepen existing cooperation, in light of the new developments following the Russian invasion in Ukraine,in order to address the food and energy crisis and the need to find alternative energy sources and corridors.
To this end, they stressed the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean as a hub for the supply and transfer of electricity, natural gas and green hydrogen.
Furthermore, Kasoulides briefed his Egyptian counterpart on how the Greek Cypriot side understands the next steps in the Cyprus issue, including initiatives for regaining a climate of trust between the two communities. He also briefed him on the recent illegal Turkish actions in the fenced off area of Varosha.
During his visit, Kasoulides held separate meetings with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, while he attended a dinner offered by the Ambassador of Cyprus in Egypt Omiros Mavrommatis in the presence of officials from the Egyptian government and Parliament and diplomats.
Source: Cyprus News Agency