The maritime agreement signed in 2020 designating an exclusive economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean between Greece and Egypt can serve as a model for the future, according to Egyptian Ambassador Omar Amer Youssef.
“We have a successful agreement. It has shown to all the parties in the region that we could succeed on issues that are still controversial and serve as an example for the future. I would expect that the future would bring more positive discussion in this regard,” he said in an interview with Kathimerini’s Vassilis Nedos in the wake of the trilateral summit between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus.
He also referred to the opportunities for cooperation that are being created, highlighting, among others, the planned electricity interconnection (GREGY) and the agreement reached between Athens, Cairo and Nicosia on joint tourism packages.
“We have natural gas, clean energy and all this combined adds to our strategic relationship. I would say that this summit has already drawn a roadmap for the future, particularly in investments and economy,” Youssef noted, while also referring to the convergence recorded between the three countries on the situation in Gaza, as well as on the need for the transition in Syria to be completed without external influences.
He also announced the expansion of agreements to employ Egyptian workers in sectors of the Greek economy beyond agriculture, such as tourism and construction.
“By achieving this we will also be able to tackle illegal migration. They will have a secure job, salary and all the means that will convince people that going through the legal route would spare them from the risks of illegal traffickers,” he said.
“Greece needs labor and Egypt has the potential to provide labor,” he stressed.
Referring to the seasonal workers already signed from November 2022, he said, “Now we are targeting to bring more than 5,000 workers to the agricultural sector,” adding that the “number will be increased gradually to reach 10,000.”
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