Sisi arrives in Greece to bolster energy, trade ties before attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations

CAIRO – 7 May 2025: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is in Athens today for an official visit to Greece, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Upon his arrival, Sisi met with his Greek counterpart, President Konstantinos Tasoulas, before holding talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Sisi and Mitsotakis are set to co-chair the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Council of Cooperation between Egypt and Greece.

The council is expected to discuss ways to further enhance and develop bilateral relations across various fields, particularly in energy, trade, and economic cooperation, said the Egyptian Presidency.

The visit will also witness the signing of a joint declaration on a strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Sisi's meetings with Greek officials during the visit will include discussions on the latest regional and international developments and an exchange of views on issues of common concern.

Greek government sources affirm that the visit underscores the commitment of Greece and Egypt to consolidate their positions as pillars of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean amid ongoing geopolitical challenges, reported Greek newspaper To Vima.

The officials described the opening session of the two countries’ supreme council as a milestone in bilateral relations, with the two leaders expected to outline plans to elevate their already close ties to a strategic partnership level.

The anticipated joint declaration will highlight areas of cooperation and coordination, including political mechanisms, trade and investment, infrastructure, connectivity projects, energy security – particularly the Greece-Egypt electrical interconnection project "GREGY" – as well as climate change, defense and security, migration, education, and culture, according to Greek reports.

The declaration is also expected to emphasize the alignment based on international law in addressing regional challenges and promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Discussions between Sisi and Mitsotakis are expected to include recent developments in Gaza, Syria, and Libya.

Sisi and Mitsotakis met recently in January during a trilateral Egyptian-Greek-Cypriot summit in Cairo.

Sisi’s visit also comes a year after Egypt and the European Union signed the Joint Declaration on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in March 2024 in the presence of various European leaders, including Greece.

Greece strongly supports the Egypt-EU declaration especially in light of Egypt's pivotal role in regional stability and curbing migration flows.

Following his official visit to Greece, Sisi will travel to Moscow to participate in the Victory Day celebrations on May 9, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.