Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a significant meeting in New Alamein City, marking the first visit of a Greek prime minister to the region since Mitsotakis's re-election and the formation of his new government.

The talks between the two leaders centered on various regional issues of mutual concern. They engaged in discussions about the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum and the pressing matter of illegal migration in the Mediterranean basin. Additionally, the leaders addressed the global implications of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the ongoing crises in Libya.

President Al-Sisi took the opportunity to reaffirm Egypt's unwavering support for the political process in Libya and emphasized the importance of the complete withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory. Both leaders pledged to intensify coordination efforts to tackle the shared challenges in the region.

Another crucial aspect of the meeting was the focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Greece. Both sides expressed strong interest in accelerating the activation and implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two nations.

This collaboration encompassed various domains, including military, economic, and cultural cooperation, as well as joint efforts in the energy sector, particularly regarding natural gas and electrical interconnection, and sustainable green transformation initiatives.

In a display of solidarity, Egypt extended its support to Greece by sending planes to assist in extinguishing forest fires in the country. Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude for this generous gesture, and President Al-Sisi conveyed heartfelt condolences for the impact of the fires on Greece.

Following the high-level discussions, extensive talks took place between the respective delegations, where they shared their perspectives on regional matters, with particular focus on the Eastern Mediterranean. The East Mediterranean Gas Forum emerged as a crucial tool in addressing regional issues.

Moreover, the leaders discussed the challenges posed by illegal migration in the Mediterranean basin, and Prime Minister Mitsotakis commended Egypt's efforts in dealing with the significant burden of hosting millions of refugees on its soil.

Egypt and Greece boast a long history of close relations, which has continued to thrive in modern times, particularly in the areas of security, trade, and energy. Under President Al-Sisi's leadership, Egypt has been actively working towards strengthening its ties with Greece.

Notably, in 2014, the trilateral cooperation mechanism was established with the inclusion of Cyprus, and in 2020, Egypt and Greece solidified their partnership by signing an agreement to designate an exclusive economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean.

Additionally, the joint military exercises conducted in the Mediterranean Sea in the same year further underscored the depth of their cooperation. (ILKHA)