Egyptian, Greek chiefs of state confer over economic cooperation, Libyan crisis

CAIRO – 19 October 2021: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi began his visit to Athens Tuesday by a bilateral meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

It is noted that they will convene again during the ninth Tripartite Meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

President Sisi thanked Mitsotakis for hosting the summit lauding the strong Egyptian-Greek ties as well as the continuous cooperation on the political, military, and trade levels.

In turn, the Greek prime minister welcomed the Egyptian president hailing the role of Egypt in promoting stability in the Middle East, and combating terrorism and illegal migration.

Both chiefs of state discussed mutual support at regional and international organizations, cooperation to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and boosting collaboration in the sectors of investment, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, energy and natural gas, particularly within the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.

Tackling regional and international issues, the two leaders conferred over terrorism, illegal migration, developments of regional crises, particularly the Libyan one, endeavors to revive the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis in light of the presidential statement issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the dispute.

The statement was released on September 15 encouraging Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan to resume talks with the aim of concluding an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a reasonable time frame.

Egypt took the matter to the UNSC after the last round of negotiations - since 2011 - failed in April. Since then, the talks have stalled.