Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi received Greek Defence Minister Nikólaos Déndias in Cairo, marking a significant visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. The meeting was attended by senior Egyptian officials, including General Ashraf Salem Zaher, commander of the armed forces and minister of defence and military production, and General Moustafa Adly Abdel Wahed Souleimane, head of the armed forces' armament authority. The Greek delegation included Ambassador Nikólaos Papageorgiou and General Ioánnis Koúris, director of the military's external relations and strategy.
During the meeting, President Al-Sissi emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece, highlighting the need to further develop this relationship in various fields, particularly in the military and defence sectors. He expressed his appreciation for the long-standing ties between the two nations and their potential for growth. The President also requested that his Greek counterpart convey his greetings to Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis.
The President and the Greek Defence Minister discussed the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus, which has become a model for successful regional cooperation in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean. President Al-Sissi stressed the importance of sustaining this cooperation to address common challenges and foster development in the region.
Minister Déndias expressed his pride in visiting Egypt and conveyed Prime Minister Mitsotákis' greetings to President Al-Sissi. He acknowledged the historical and enduring nature of Greek-Egyptian relations, emphasizing Greece's commitment to enhancing coordination with Egypt to address shared challenges. The Minister also highlighted the significance of continued bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and managing illegal immigration.
The two sides discussed ways to enhance military cooperation, including joint exercises and defence production. They also touched on regional security issues, including the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of both countries to strengthening their strategic partnership and promoting regional stability.
Minister Déndias praised Egypt's crucial role in stemming illegal immigration, expressing gratitude for the country's efforts in this regard. He also emphasized the importance of sustaining cooperation and coordination between Greece and Egypt in addressing this challenge. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the strong ties between the two nations and their commitment to further developing their relationship.
The visit by Minister Déndias underscores the growing importance of Greek-Egyptian relations, particularly in the defence and security sectors. The two countries have been working closely together in recent years to promote regional stability and address common challenges. The meeting between President Al-Sissi and Minister Déndias is expected to pave the way for further cooperation and coordination between Egypt and Greece.
Key points
- Egypt and Greece are committed to strengthening their strategic partnership, particularly in the military and defence sectors.
- The two countries are working together to promote regional stability and address common challenges, including terrorism and illegal immigration.
- The trilateral cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus has become a model for successful regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
