Sisi praises relations with Cyprus, agrees with President Christodoulides on strengthening cooperation

CAIRO – 5 April 2023: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al Sisi expressed on Wednesday his happiness for receiving his Cyprus counterpart Nikos Christodoulides in Cairo.

Sisi said that Christodoulides first visit to Egypt after assuming his office reflects the ‘distinguished relations that ties the two countries and peoples.’

In a joint press conference, Sisi praised Christodoulides efforts and contributions over the past years, to strengthening joint cooperation and strategic partnership between Egypt and Cyprus from the various positions he assumed.

Sisi said that he discussed with his Cyprus counterpart Christodoulides strengthening bilateral partnership and relations, especially in the energy sector, including the electrical interconnection project and the transfer of Cypriot gas to the two liquefaction plants in Egypt.

They also agreed on cooperation in new frameworks such as clean and renewable energy projects; As well as working to increase the rates of trade exchange, and support cooperation in all development and economic fields.

President Sisi said that he agreed with President Christodoulides of Cyprus, on advancing the close coordination, at the political level, on all issues of mutual interest.

“In this regard, I confirmed to His Excellency, the Cypriot President, the fundamental constants of Egypt's vision regarding the importance of achieving security and stability in the East Mediterranean region, by stressing the commitment of all States to the respect of international law and the UN Charter on the Principles of Non-Intervention in the Internal Affairs of other States, and respect of sovereign rights and regional waters of all States in the region.” Sisi said

He added: “I also underscored Egypt's unwavering position with regard to the Cypriot issue, stressing Egypt's support for endeavors to settle it in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and Security Council resolutions, and reiterating rejection of unilateral steps by any party, aimed at creating new facts on the ground in violation of Security Council resolutions.”

Sisi said that the meeting hosted in Cairo was an “opportunity to underline our appreciation of the tripartite partnership between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece and of the Tripartite Cooperation Mechanism between the three countries that represents a model to be emulated across all levels. Therefore, we agreed on the importance of a proper preparation for the upcoming Tripartite Cooperation Mechanism Summit, which Egypt will be pleased to host this year.”

Egypt’s president said that during their discussions, he and Christodoulides agreed on the significance of holding elections in Libya at the earliest time and emphasized the importance of the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, in consistence with Libya's restoration of sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability.

On the Palestinian issue, Sisi said that he highlighted to the President of Cyprus, the need for concerted international efforts to avoid the escalation of violence, halt settlements, push forward efforts toward a final settlement for the sake of achieving peace and establishing an independent Palestinian State, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and on the basis of the two-state solution.

President Sisi also stressed that he briefed the Cypriot President, on Egypt’s continuing endeavors to achieve a just settlement for the Renaissance Dam issue and the ongoing efforts to reach a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, in order to achieve the aspirations of all peoples for development, side by side, while preserving Egypt's unalienable water security.