The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in New Alamein City, northwest Egypt, on the latter’s first visit to the region after his re-election and the formation of a new Greek new government.
The Egyptian-Greek summit focused on ways to promote bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Egyptian presidential spokesman, Ahmed Fahmy, said the two leaders exchanged views on regional issues of common interest in light of the two states' common positions in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
They emphasized that the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum is one of the most important tools in this framework.
They also discussed the developments in illegal migration in the Mediterranean basin. Mitsotakis praised Egypt's efforts to combat this phenomenon, in light of the burdens it imposes since millions of refugees are hosted on Egyptian territory.
The meeting addressed several issues of mutual interest, the global consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and the ongoing concerns in the region, particularly in Libya.
Sisi stressed Egypt's support of the political path in Libya, and the importance of holding presidential and parliamentary elections, exiting all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory, and restoring Libya's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability.
The spokesman stated that the leaders asserted their mutual interest in the speedy activation and implementation of the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries and promoting cooperation in military, economy, culture, energy, natural gas, electrical connectivity, and green transition.
The Egyptian-Greek summit comes in the wake of a rapprochement between Egypt and Türkiye, which culminated in their resumption of diplomatic representation at the level of ambassadors.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan invited his Egyptian counterpart to visit his country, but the date has yet to be officially announced.
The relations between Greece, Cyprus, and Türkiye are tense because of "Türkiye's illegal activity" to explore gas in maritime areas that Athens and Nicosia say are subject to their sovereignty.
Meanwhile, international and political relations professor at Cairo University, Tarek Fahmy, reiterated the importance of the Egyptian-Greek summit and its symbolism in affirming cooperation between the two countries.
Fahmy told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt is a responsible country and manages its bilateral relations with balance and rationality.
Any development of Egyptian-Turkish relations will not be at the expense of Egypt's relations with Greece and Cyprus, said Fahmy, pointing out that the ties have become well-established following international agreements.
Egypt aspires to deepen further the partnership with the countries of the northern Mediterranean, said the expert.
Egyptian-Greek relations witnessed significant development during the past years, and the trade exchange between the two countries jumped 112.8 percent in 2021.
Greek investments in Egypt rank fifth among the EU countries amid efforts to increase the volume of investments five times.
Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus conduct regular naval and air military exercises in the Mediterranean, Medusa, one of the most prominent joint activities of the armed forces.
Fahmy believes Türkiye will join the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum after receiving the approval of the member states and settling several outstanding issues, including the recognition of Cyprus and the demarcation of the maritime borders with Greece, Cyprus, and the eastern Mediterranean countries.
Furthermore, an economics professor at the Cardiff Metropolitan University, Abdellatif Darwish, believes that the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement may concern Athens.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Greece believes the Egyptian-Turkish dispute is within its interest and negatively regards the rapprochement between Cairo and Ankara.
Darwish noted significant changes in the eastern Mediterranean region, including the joint European-US desire to calm the tensions between Türkiye and Greece.
He referred to the recent meeting between the Turkish President and the Greek Prime Minister on the sidelines of last month's NATO Summit and the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement.
The expert noted that all these developments might impact relations between the Mediterranean countries and benefit from the maritime region's wealth by reducing tension or the possibility of Türkiye joining the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.
The East Mediterranean Gas Forum was established in 2019 by Egypt, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Cairo hosts its headquarters.
According to the Cairo Declaration, the Forum's membership is open to any state wishing to join after completing the necessary procedures.
