Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty participated in a trilateral cooperation mechanism meeting with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts, Giorgos Gerapetritis and Constantinos Kombos, on Friday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The three top diplomats affirmed the special nature of the relations between their countries and the strong momentum witnessed by the trilateral cooperation mechanism.
During the meeting, Abdelatty stressed the importance of maintaining regular meetings at various levels and continuously following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the trilateral summits, agreements, and memoranda of understanding signed among the three countries. The three ministers also emphasized the significance of intensifying joint cultural activities and scholarships, organizing summer camps for students, and arranging joint tourism tours and trips among the three countries.
The ministers also underscored the need to formulate training programmes for the technical workforce and facilitate the necessary legal arrangements for this purpose. They stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen economic, military, and defence cooperation among the three countries. According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the meeting also addressed the latest regional developments, including the Palestinian cause and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The three top diplomats also emphasized the importance of de-escalation, prioritizing political solutions, and respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states. They agreed to continue consultations and close coordination within the framework of the trilateral cooperation mechanism and to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest. This cooperation aims to serve the interests of the three countries and their peoples and contribute to consolidating security, stability, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Separately, Abdelatty held bilateral discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, where they discussed Egyptian-Greek ties. Abdelatty also attended a ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian foreign ministry and the UN Alliance of Civilizations. The memorandum was signed in the presence of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UNAOC High Representative, the UN Under-Secretary-General, and the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
Abdelatty participated in several high-level events, including a ministerial side event on “African Leadership, National Prevention, and Peacebuilding,” organized by Egypt in collaboration with Kenya, the African Union, and the UN Peacebuilding Support Office. He also participated in the ministerial meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission, the ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the ministerial meeting in support of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, Abdelatty held bilateral talks with several high-level officials, including the Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, President of the UNGA 81st session Khalilur Rahman, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, and US Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz. Abdelatty also met with several counterparts, including Algerian FM Ahmed Attaf, Malian FM Abdoulaye Diop, and Italian FM Antonio Tajani.
Key points
- Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus are strengthening their trilateral cooperation mechanism to enhance economic, military, and defence ties.
- The three countries are intensifying joint cultural activities, scholarships, and tourism to bring their peoples closer together.
- They are also coordinating on regional issues, including the Palestinian cause and the Eastern Mediterranean.
