In pics: Cyprus prepares for Sisi's first official visit

CAIRO – 20 November 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is expected to arrive in the Cyprus capital, Nicosia, Monday morning on an official two-day visit in which he will participate in the fifth Egyptian-Greek-Cypriot tripartite summit.


Several preparations have been completed already near the Cyprus presidential palace as part of the welcoming ceremony for Sisi. This marks the first official visit from an Egyptian president to Cyprus.


Media delegations arrive near Cyprus presidential palace to cover President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi first official visit to Nicosia Nov. 20 - Press photo

The two-day visit is supposed to include several meetings on the sideline of the tripartite summit.

Sisi is also expected to give a speech in front of the Cyprus parliament, in which he will praise the two countries’ relations that witnessed rapid growth during the past few years.


Cyprus presidential palace preparations before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrival Nov. 20 - Press Photo.

The Egyptian-Cypriot Business Forum is also supposed to be inaugurated by Sisi and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades, which aims to enhance the economic and trade relations between the two countries and explore the potential opportunities for any mutual investment in both countries.

The fifth Egyptian-Greek-Cypriot tripartite summit that Sisi is expected to participate in will take place on Tuesday. They are expected to discuss the coordination between the three countries, as well as enhancing the relations in the political, economic, trade, security, and tourism fields.


Cyprus presidential palace preparations before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrival Nov. 20 - Press Photo

Countering terrorism is expected to be one of the major topics that will be tackled by the three leaders during their meeting on Tuesday in Nicosia, according to an official statement by the presidency.


Cyprus presidential palace preparations before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrival Nov. 20 - Press Photo

The first tripartite summit between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus was held for the first time in Cairo in 2014, and then in Nicosia in April 2015. The third summit was in Athens in 2015 and the fourth was in Cairo in 2016.