Egyptian, Greek FMs hold consultations on economic ties, regional crises

CAIRO – 20 May 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry held talks Monday with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis, during his visit to Athens, on developing economic relations as well as joint energy projects.

The two sides agreed on the importance of accelerating the implementation of the electricity linkage project 'Gregy' that will allow exporting renewable energy generated by Egypt to Europe through Greece for the first time in history.

In a related context, Minister Shokry invited the Greek side to attend the investment promotion conference held in Egypt on June 29-30, highlighting that the country eyes bilateral collaboration in the sectors of maritime transport and tourism.

Regarding cooperation with Cyprus, the Egyptian ministry said that Egypt looked forward to hosting the coming trilateral summit.

The talks also tackled illegal migration through the Mediterranean, and the crises in Libya, Sudan, and Syria so as Minister Shokry presented the outcome of Egypt's communication with parties concerned with the conflicts in the three Arab states.

The meeting similarly included consultations on the Gaza War as the Egyptian minister warned of the implications of the intended Israeli military land operation in Palestinian Rafah on regional security and stability. Hence, he expressed Egypt's hope that Greece would push for a ceasefire through the European Union (EU).

The minister equally condemned Israel's control of the Palestinian side of Rafah Border Crossing, disabling the delivery of humanitarian aid, which would incur the displacement of Palestinians. He also stressed the two-state solution as a long-tern settlement of the Palestinian Cause, and that entails the establishment of a Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 2024 having as capital Eastern Jerusalem.