Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi received separate meetings with Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Dendias and Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas on September 22. The meetings focused on the importance of strategic partnerships between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus, particularly in the military and security sectors. According to a press release, Al-Sissi emphasized the need to deepen and expand these partnerships to serve the interests of friendly nations.
The meetings took place amid a complex geopolitical context, with Al-Sissi highlighting the solidity of the Egypt-Greece-Cyprus strategic triangle as a mechanism for regional stability. With Dendias, Al-Sissi discussed trilateral cooperation between the three nations, presenting it as a successful model for regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The cooperation aims to promote peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.
The two defense ministers praised Egypt's role in reducing tensions and promoting peace in the region. Recent military exercises have demonstrated the intensification of cooperation between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. The "Medusa-15" exercise, held off the coast of Crete from September 10-18, brought together Egyptian, Greek, Cypriot, French, and Italian forces. This annual exercise showcases the growing military cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt and Cyprus have also conducted joint military exercises, including the "Ptolemy 2025" special forces exercise held in Cyprus in June 2025. These exercises demonstrate the commitment of the three nations to enhancing their military cooperation. The meetings were attended by senior officials, including Egyptian Defense Minister Ashraf Salem Zaher and Greek and Cypriot ambassadors to Egypt.
In addition to military cooperation, Al-Sissi emphasized the importance of combating irregular migration. He stressed the need for continued cooperation and coordination with Greece and Cyprus to address this issue. Dendias and Palmas acknowledged Egypt's efforts to limit migration flows and reiterated their commitment to strengthening coordination with Egypt to address common challenges.
The cooperation between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus has significant implications for regional stability. The three nations have signed a strategic partnership declaration, marking a significant advancement in their bilateral relations. A trilateral summit held in Al-Alamein on September 8 brought together Al-Sissi, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The strengthened military cooperation between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus is seen as a key factor in promoting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The three nations are committed to deepening their partnerships and expanding cooperation in various sectors. This cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on regional security and stability.
Key points
- Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus are strengthening their military cooperation to promote peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- The trilateral cooperation between the three nations is seen as a successful model for regional cooperation.
- The cooperation includes joint military exercises, such as "Medusa-15" and "Ptolemy 2025", demonstrating the growing military ties between the three nations.
