Relations between Egypt and Cyprus are enhanced with the official visit to Cyprus by the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Speaking after talks in Nicosia between delegations from both sides, the two leaders announced the setting up of a mechanism that will allow annual meetings to schedule and monitor mutual actions to benefit the wider region.
Sisi’s visit to Cyprus, the first of its kind by an Egyptian President, is taking place a day ahead of the Trilateral Meeting among Cyprus, Greece and Egypt which will also take place in Nicosia, , with the participation of Anastasiades and Sisi, as well as Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Anastasiades said tomorrow’s meeting is “a tangible proof of our determination to upgrade and deepen even further our relations”, while Sisi said that the visit boosts relations and common cooperation and expressed the conviction that it will continue for stability in the region.
Ministers from both sides also signed memoranda of cooperation in the field of Business and Digital Economy, for Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Industries and an Executive Programme on Police cooperation issues.
After the talks, the two leaders bestowed medals on each other. President Anastasiades bestowed the medal of The Order of Makarios III, the highest order of merit awarded by Cyprus, named after the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III while Sisi bestowed the Order of the Nile, Egypt`s highest state honour.
President Anastasiades said it was presented to Sisi in token of the historical, close relations between Cyprus and Egypt, as well as Sisi’s decisive contribution to further deepen and strengthen relations in all areas.
On his part, Sisi, speaking through an interpreter, said that the Order of the Nile, symbolizes the prosperity offered by the Nile, which connects the two parts of Egypt and also symbolizes the friendship between the two peoples.
Today’s talks, said President Anastasiades, reconfirmed the high level of bilateral relations and the excellent, multi-level cooperation in a number of issues that concern the welfare of the two peoples and extends to common actions in the framework of international organisations.
The memoranda signed today, he said, pave the way for closer cooperation in the private field and also the authorities of the two countries. The President announced “our decision to establish a mechanism for regular annual meetings of our Governments to monitor the implementation of what is being planned and taking new joint actions for the benefit of the wider region”.
They also agreed that further enhancing cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, defence and security issues, will contribute substantially to strengthening regional security and stability.
On the issue of energy, President Anastasiades said that they agreed that the discovery of important hydrocarbon reserves in the region provides a unique opportunity to further enhance the relations of the two countries. They also agreed for common actions to achieve the utmost for the benefit of the peoples of Egypt and Cyprus.
He emphasized that cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt – and more broadly in the Eastern Mediterranean region – is based on the principles of international law and in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “Our vision is that the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in our region will act as a catalyst for broader cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in our region, he remarked.
He assured that Cyprus will continue to support enhancing Egypt’s relations with the EU, since Egypt is an important and strategic partner for the EU in issues of security, combatting terrorism, stability in the region, energy and immigration.
The two leaders expressed the wish that the efforts that Egypt has undertaken to defuse the crisis in Lebanon will yield result and expressed the Republic of Cyprus’ readiness to contribute wherever possible in this effort.
President Anastasiades also informed Sisi on the latest developments on Cyprus and the results of the Crans Montana talks in the summer. He explained that due to Turkey’s insistence to maintain guarantor and intervention rights as well as a permanent presence of the Turkish forces on the island, the talks collapsed.
He also expressed Cyprus’ gratitude and sincere appreciation for the longstanding support to end the current unacceptable situation on the island.
On his part, Sisi said that “relations are unique and longstanding” and now is the time for the two peoples to benefit from these relations with new investment opportunities that arise in both countries. He thanked Anastasiades for the Cyprus government’s support in Egypt’s reform efforts.
Sisi remarked that the field of Energy is very significant as efforts will continue for further cooperation. He said the discovery of energy reserves is very important and will benefit the peoples and the countries in the region and can contribute as energy resources in Europe.
He underlined “the position of Egypt that supports the right of Cyprus to exploit its natural wealth within its boundaries through the framework of international law and the agreements it has signed with, inter alia, with Egypt”.
Sisi said that through the special tripartite co-operation “we must reflect the benefits for the peoples who are linked by common principles . I look forward to the tripartite summit that will convene tomorrow,” he said.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said the efforts undertaken by President Anastasiades to solve the problem will are appreciated by the international community, noting “I want to assure you of Egypt’s support in the efforts you are undertaking in reuniting the island based on UN resolutions and a federal solution”.
“Today`s talks have shown the identity of views on the issues we discussed, which helps to strengthen cooperation and achieve peace and stability in the region”, said Sisi. He further added that the destabilization of some areas provided a fertile ground for the development of extremism and together with President Anastasiades they agreed on ways to “deal with this hazard “.
He recalled the defence, military agreement between the two countries in action since November 2015 and the exchange of visits between military officers of both countries.
Sisi will also attend a Cyprus – Egyptian Business Forum and a dinner Anastasiades will host in his honour.
