Βilateral relations and regional developments were discussed during the meeting between Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on Monday, according to diplomatic sources.
During the meeting it was stressed that no discussion is underway nor is there any prospect of delimiting the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Egypt and Turkey. Media reports of an Egypt-Turkey rapprochement were, in fact, described as misinformation.
They pointed out that the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum has announced a new block tender, in which the block located east of the 28th meridian has been removed. As the foreign minister said in his statement from Larnaca on Monday, this amendment is a technical issue concerning the Egyptian side. As far as the Greek side is concerned, the sources noted, the issue that had arisen in the previous days is considered to be essentially resolved.
The excellent atmosphere in bilateral relations was reaffirmed, as reflected in the cordial relations between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as well as the close personal relations of the two foreign ministers, which play a key role in promoting mutual understanding and avoiding any possible misunderstandings that may arise.
Regarding the meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the sources said the Arab official spoke at length and strongly criticised Turkey’s continued interference in the internal affairs of Arab states, such as Libya, Syria, and Iraq.
It was also agreed that consultations between Greece and the Arab League should start immediately, in order to sign a relevant Memorandum of Understanding.
