Egypt, Greece Discuss Boosting Cooperation within East Mediterranean Gas Forum

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) welcomes Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (R) during their meeting in Athens, Greece, 11 April 2023. (EPA)
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) welcomes Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (R) during their meeting in Athens, Greece, 11 April 2023. (EPA)
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Egypt, Greece Discuss Boosting Cooperation within East Mediterranean Gas Forum

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) welcomes Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (R) during their meeting in Athens, Greece, 11 April 2023. (EPA)
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (L) welcomes Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (R) during their meeting in Athens, Greece, 11 April 2023. (EPA)

Egypt and Greece are in talks to boost cooperation within the East Mediterranean Gas Forum framework and the tripartite cooperation mechanism that brings the two countries together with Cyprus.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. They discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and ways to advance them, and regional and international developments.

The officials agreed on the importance of exchanging visions to develop bilateral and tripartite cooperation to achieve more security and stability for the three countries and strengthen cooperation.

Spokesperson of the Egyptian foreign ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry began his visit to Athens by meeting his Greek counterpart. The ministers held a closed session, followed by extensive bilateral discussions between their delegations.

Shoukry conveyed the government's interest in facilitating Greek investments in Egypt, increasing the volume of trade exchange, and overcoming the obstacles facing Greek companies in Egypt.

The spokesman stated that the two sides praised the joint projects in green hydrogen production and new and renewable energy, namely the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnection project.

He noted that the project allows Egypt to strengthen the energy security of Europe and boosts its ability to produce and export energy while maintaining the common interest of both sides.

Shoukry also addressed several regional and international issues of common concern, including the current escalation in the Palestinian territories, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, developments in Syria, and elsewhere in the region.

He was keen to brief Greek officials on Egypt's efforts to achieve calm between the Palestinians and Israelis.

The FMs also tackled efforts to confront illegal immigration across the Mediterranean, combat terrorism, and coordinate security and military cooperation.

Abu Zeid added that the FM met with the Greek Prime Minister, which reflected the depth and strength of the strategic friendship between Egypt and Greece that is based on multiple political, economic, and cultural foundations.

Shoukry conveyed a verbal message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, underscoring the strength of the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece and appreciating the continuous development of these relations on various political and economic levels.

The FM affirmed Egypt's aspiration to explore more new areas of cooperation, which in turn requires working together to develop aspects of this cooperation in a way that contributes to making it a role model in relations between friendly countries.



US Sends Beirut ‘Warning’ and ‘Incentive’ Over Hezbollah Arms

US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
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US Sends Beirut ‘Warning’ and ‘Incentive’ Over Hezbollah Arms

US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)

US special envoy Tom Barrack delivered a dual message of “incentive” and “warning” to the Lebanese capital this week, urging swift action on the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons.

“You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn’t move, it’s going to be Bilad Al Sham again,” he said, using the historical name for the Syria region.

The remarks sparked alarm within Lebanon’s political establishment, with some interpreting the comments as a blunt warning of “existential danger.”

Government sources told Asharq al-Awsat that Barrack, who also serves as Washington’s ambassador to Türkiye and was previously tasked with Syria policy, appears to be approaching the Lebanon and Syria files through a unified lens.

“Barrack believes that Lebanon should follow the same diplomatic path as Syria,” one official said, referring to Damascus' recent re-engagement with regional and international actors. “But he also understands Lebanon’s complex political terrain.”

Barrack’s comments about Lebanon potentially “returning to Bilad Al Sham” provoked criticism across the political spectrum, prompting him to clarify his position in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“My comments yesterday praised Syria’s impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon,” wrote Barrack.

“I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by President Donald Trump lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,” he added.

He said Syria’s leadership is “seeking coexistence and shared prosperity with Lebanon based on sovereign equality,” and stressed that the United States supports a bilateral relationship that promotes “peace, prosperity, and mutual respect” between the two nations.

“I can assure that Syria’s leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,” said Barrack.

Barrack, in the context of disarming Hezbollah, had stated that a successful approach requires a combination of "carrots and sticks". This means using both positive incentives (carrots) and negative consequences (sticks) to achieve the desired outcome.

Barrack’s recent warning to Lebanon reflects the “stick” Washington is wielding, while his unprecedented acknowledgment of Hezbollah’s dual structure signals the “carrot” being offered.

“This is the first time a US official publicly distinguishes between Hezbollah’s political and military wings,” one source told Asharq al-Awsat.

“It’s a message of inducement aimed directly at Hezbollah, despite the fact that Washington has long treated both branches as inseparable and placed them under the same sanctions regime,” they explained.

In remarks to the press, Barrack reiterated the US designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, but added nuance rarely heard from senior American officials.