Egypt’s FM Discusses Strategic Partnerships with Greece at UNGA

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel Atty, met with Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis on Tuesday during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in various sectors.

Minister Abdel Atty emphasized Egypt’s pride in the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the governments and peoples of Egypt and Greece. He highlighted Egypt’s eagerness to further develop these relations across multiple fields, expressing his anticipation for the convening of the High Council for Cooperation between the two countries. This follows the planned signing of a political declaration during the Greek Prime Minister's visit to Egypt on March 17, 2024.

A key topic of discussion was the "GREGY" electricity interconnection project, which aims to enhance energy connectivity between Egypt and Greece. Abdel Aty underscored Egypt’s interest in the project and called for necessary support from the European Union to ensure its success. He also mentioned Egypt’s expectation to begin the actual implementation of the seasonal labor agreement with Greece, considering it a model that could be replicated with other European countries. Additionally, he noted that such agreements could serve as practical solutions to address the issue of illegal migration.

He pointed out that the recent signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Egypt and the European Union reflects the special nature of their relationship across various sectors. He expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Greece's continued support within the EU and the desire for this collaboration to persist.

During the meeting, the Egyptian Foreign Minister also emphasized Egypt’s anticipation of further cooperation with Greece as it assumes its upcoming seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. He stressed the importance of aligning on priority issues that affect both countries and contributing to their shared efforts in promoting peace, security, and stability on both regional and international levels.

Abdel Atty also discussed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration, emphasizing the importance of European nations providing adequate support to Egypt, particularly in light of the increased pressures caused by various crises in the region.

The meeting also touched on key regional and international issues, with particular focus on the escalating Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank. Abdel Aty reiterated Egypt’s firm stance that the only viable solution to the current Middle East crisis is an immediate ceasefire, the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and an end to the aggression against Lebanon. He stressed the need to prevent the region from falling into a cycle of violence and conflict, urging all parties to avoid triggering a regional war.