ANA-MPA
. “Trilateral cooperation is a foundation of peace, stability and prosperity. A foundation that Greece, Egypt and Cyprus are steadily serving,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday after a meeting with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
“Our meeting takes place a few days after the election of a new president in the United States,” the prime minister continued, adding: “From now on, Greek-American relations will become stronger on all levels.
“President Biden will help restore balance and security in our region. Greece has every reason to welcome the return of the United States to its central role as a leading player in NATO.”
“In our troubled region, our two countries have already set an example of peace and cooperation with an emblematic moment on August 6, when they signed an agreement on the partial delimitation of maritime zones and our common intention to continue consultations so that this agreement can be extended,” Mitsotakis said.
“It is a very important development. This agreement is the best example of how, when we are guided by international law, the rules of good neighbourly relations and respect, we reach agreements that benefit our peoples,” he added.
These are “emblematic actions that generate conquests of peace and cooperation,” Mitsotakis stressed, adding that “contrary to the stance of neighbouring Turkey, the Mediterranean can become a sea that unites instead of dividing peoples.”
Mitsotakis said his talks with Egypt’s president had focused on the EastMed pipeline, while adding that “every country can participate, provided it abstains from provocations and respects international law.”
“Greece and Egypt are partners with mutual export relations and common strategic goals,” Mitsotakis said, stressing that “soon both countries will be even more attractive investment destinations.”
The prime minister also spoke about migration, highlighting Egypt’s important role “in stopping migration flows” but also its participation in the ceasefire agreement in Libya, which he said was “due to Egypt”.
“It remains to be implemented, with the first provision being the withdrawal of any foreign power. Greece’s faith in the stabilising role of your country extends to the normalisation of relations between the Arab world and Israel,” Mitsotakis said.
“I also did not fail to express …the appreciation we all feel for Egypt’s important role as a beacon of moderate, of true Islam. Especially in times, like the present, when certain forces are attempting to don a religious mantle,” he added.
Closing his statements, Mitsotakis referred to a historical event: “As of today 78 years ago the historic battle of El Alamein was concluding with the famous victory of the allies. A starting point for the liberation of Europe. Among those fighters were thousands of Greeks who made Egypt the base of their struggle. Our countries have always been together. Then in war, today in peace and tomorrow in growth and prosperity.”
On his part, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said: “We discussed the events in our region and the adoption of policies by some that are at odds with the international community, and we agreed to jointly address all those who want to threaten peace.”
“We also agreed to strengthen each other in terms of defence relations,” he added.
“We agreed on a just solution to the Cyprus problem based on international law and referred to the situation in Libya, where we agreed that there should be a political solution that will bring peace and stability to the region,” the Egyptian President said, adding that they also agreed on the immediate need to tackle international terrorism and stop the countries that support it.
“Countries that support terrorism, help terrorists and encourage them must be held accountable,” he stressed.
“We have also agreed that global terrorism has nothing to do with religion and we reject any insult to any religion,” al-Sisi added.
