President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus stressed that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi led diplomatic efforts to reach the Gaza ceasefire and contain escalation in the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with MENA on his visit to Egypt, the Cypriot president said his country strongly supports these efforts and is coordinating with Egypt to prevent further tensions.
About relations between Egypt and Cyprus and prospects of bilateral cooperation within the coming period, especially in the energy and gas sector, Christodoulides said relations between the two countries are of strategic importance and are based on shared values, mutual respect and intensive cooperation across multiple sectors.
He said relations between the two countries have been greatly strengthened in recent years, reflecting the commitment of both countries to promoting stability, security and economic prosperity in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
He said President Sisi's leadership of Egypt has boosted this strategic partnership as frequent discussions between the two countries and shared visions for regional stability have deepened mutual trust and laid the foundation for further cooperation.
Christodoulides said he visited Egypt four times over the past year and that Egypt was the second country he visited following his election in 2023, a move that reflects the importance Cyprus and its government attach to relations with Egypt.
He referred to the agreements signed between the two countries during their participation in the second government summit, which was held recently, in the fields of higher education, technology, water management and nuclear safety.
He said cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus in the energy sector has reached new horizons, especially with the expected signing of an agreement to transfer natural gas from the Cypriot "Kronos" field to Egypt.
He said the memo of understanding signed between the two countries in June of 2024 to facilitate the employment of Egyptian workers in Cyprus, highlights the commitment of Cyprus to regulating the movement of labor and boosting economic cooperation.
He said Egypt and Cyprus will continue to work closely together to strengthen economic relations and security cooperation and explore new opportunities for mutual development.
Asked about his assessment of continued efforts by Egypt under President Sisi to achieve calm, peace, stability and avoid escalation of the situation in the Middle East, the Cypriot President said Egypt has long been a pillar of stability in the Middle East and has played a crucial role in resolving conflicts.
Cyprus strongly supports Egyptian efforts and remains committed to deepening coordination with Egypt to prevent further escalation and promote a sustainable political solution to the conflict, he added.
About the situation in Gaza, Christodoulides said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains deeply worrying, stressing that Cyprus continues to give a hand to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Cypriot president stressed that the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state side by side to Israel remain the only applicable framework for achieving lasting peace.
He stressed that Egypt's role in facilitating political dialogue and providing additional humanitarian assistance is vital to ensuring regional stability.
The Cypriot president said his country and Egypt maintain cooperation in addressing regional security challenges, including combating terrorism, adding that the two countries seek, through trilateral partnerships, multilateral forums, and direct bilateral cooperation, to promote stability and development in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa region.
Regarding Egypt's relations with the European Union, Christodoulides stressed that Cyprus, as the closest EU member state to the region and Egypt, has always been a strong advocate for deepening relations between the European Union and Egypt, especially as Egypt is considered a key player in maintaining regional stability, economic growth, and security cooperation.
The Cypriot President said trade and investment are the core of Egypt-EU relations, noting that Egypt's strategic location, growing economy and ambitious development plans make Egypt an important economic partner to the EU.
Christodoulides referred the project of linking Egyptian electricity grid to Europe via Cyprus and Greece, saying the project will enhance energy security and sustainability while placing Egypt as a major energy hub.
He said cooperation between Egypt and the EU covers other key areas such as emigration management, counter-terrorism and digital transformation.
He added that Cyprus is still committed to enhancing partnership between Egypt and the EU to serve as a driving force for stability and regional cooperation within the coming years. (MENA)
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