Nabila Makram to meet Cypriot, Greek officials, discuss ‘Nostos the Return 2’

CAIRO – 2 July 2018: Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram has headed Monday to Cyprus in a short visit to meet Cypriot and Greek officials with the aim of preparing for the second “Roots Revival Week.”

Makram is expected to be received by the Cyprus' Presidential Commissioner for humanitarian affairs Photis Photiou and the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Terence Nicholas Quick to prepare for the seven-day “Roots Revival” initiative, also known as “Nostos the Return 2.”

Sponsored by President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, the initiative comes as part of a cooperation protocol signed by the three countries last December. The protocol aims to bring back to Alexandria Cypriot and Greek people, as many of them used to live in Alexandria.


President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi participates in the “Roots Revival Week”, April 30, 2018 – Press photo
Makram affirmed that the officials will discuss all necessary topics concerning launching the second version of the cultural week, adding that the first initiative has strengthened ties between the three countries in economy and tourism fields.

In the first initiative that launched in late April, a special program for 120 visitors representing the second and third generations of Egyptian-Greek communities in different world countries was prepared, Makram said.

The program was set to include visits to the places in which their families used to live, such as Zizinia and El Raml neighborhoods in Alexandria, followed by a visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, a tour of Giza Pyramids, and finally a visit to Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The project is an initiative of Makram, who visited Cyprus along with Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terence Quick for consultations with Cyprus’ Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Photis Photiou, as part of the tripartite cooperation of the three countries on diaspora issues.


In a statement on the occasion of the launch of the first "Roots Revival Week" in Alexandria, Cypriot Ambassador in Cairo Charis Moritsis described Egyptian-Cypriot ties in all fields as "excellent."

Over the past years, relations between the two countries witnessed unprecedented development under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Moritsis said.

He further stressed the importance of the program of "Roots Revival Week", saying it sends a message of the importance of peace, stability and cooperation for a better future.