Egypt, Greece Discuss Boosting Cooperation within East Mediterranean Gas Forum

Arab World

April 12th, 8:16am

Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) welcomes Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (R) during their meeting in Athens, Greece, 11 April 2023. (EPA)

Egypt and Greece are in talks to boost cooperation within the East Mediterranean Gas Forum framework and the tripartite cooperation mechanism that brings the two countries together with Cyprus. The Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. They discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and ways to advance them, and regional and international developments. The officials agreed on the importance of exchanging visions to develop bilateral and tripartite cooperation to achieve more security and stability for the three countries and strengthen cooperation. Spokesperson of the Egyptian foreign ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry began his visit to Athens by meeting his Greek counterpart. The ministers held a closed session, followed by extensive bilateral discussions between their delegations. Shoukry conveyed the government's interest in facilitating Greek investments in Egypt, increasing the volume of trade exchange, and overcoming the obstacles facing Greek companies in Egypt. The spokesman stated that the two sides praised the joint projects in green hydrogen production and new and renewable energy, namely the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnection project. He noted that the project allows Egypt to strengthen the energy security of Europe and boosts its ability to produce and export energy while maintaining the common interest of both sides. Shoukry also addressed several regional and international issues of common concern, including the current escalation in the Palestinian territories, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, developments in Syria, and elsewhere in the region. He was keen to brief Greek officials on Egypt's efforts to achieve calm between the Palestinians and Israelis. The FMs also tackled efforts to confront illegal immigration across the Mediterranean, combat terrorism, and coordinate security and military cooperation. Abu Zeid added that the FM met with the Greek Prime Minister, which reflected the depth and strength of the strategic friendship between Egypt and Greece that is based on multiple political, economic, and cultural foundations. Shoukry conveyed a verbal message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, underscoring the strength of the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece and appreciating the continuous development of these relations on various political and economic levels. The FM affirmed Egypt's aspiration to explore more new areas of cooperation, which in turn requires working together to develop aspects of this cooperation in a way that contributes to making it a role model in relations between friendly countries.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4268416/egypt-greece-discuss-boosting-cooperation-within-east-mediterranean-gas-forum