Greece-Egypt Sign High Level Cooperation Agreement

Greece and Egypt signed an agreement on the establishment of the High-Level Cooperation Council in Cairo on Sunday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi made joint statements after signing the agreement.

The Greece-Egypt bilateral agreement was signed prior to a joint meeting between the two leaders, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of Belgium, Italy, Austria and Cyprus.

“For us today is an excellent day for this strategic cooperation with Egypt” Mitsotakis said during the joint statements made by all participating parties. “Egypt’s stability and prosperity are of the utmost importance for the EU, and Greece is a supporter,” the Greek Prime Minister stressed.

“Greece is ready to help in any effort to achieve stability in the region. Our country has a leading role in the “Shields” operation, Mitsotakis said.

In regards to the humanitarian aid sent to war-stricken Gaza, Mitsotakis said, “We congratulate Cyprus for opening a new humanitarian corridor”.

Regarding the energy cooperation between the two countries, the Greek Premier said, “Egypt can become an energy center for the region. We will continue to promote projects such as the GREGY interconnection pipeline.”

On his part, the Egyptian President said: “Your visit today is of great symbolic importance because together we made a change in our cooperation.” El-Sisi stressed that it was agreed to hold a summit between the EU and Egypt in the second half of 2024.

“A big concern of ours is the war in Palestine. We will ask for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of corridors for humanitarian aid,” he added.

EU Earmarks €7.4 Million Package for Egypt to Curb Migrant Influx

“Today we have before us a historic day with the signing of a partnership based on six  pillars. I am happy to announce that it will be supported with a new package of 7.4 million euros,” said European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU official also referred to energy investments and, as she said, the GREGY interconnection program that connects Greece with Egypt increases Europe’s energy security.

“We are all terribly concerned with the war in Gaza, which is facing famine. This is irreversible! Humanitarian aid must reach Gaza,” stressed Von der Leyen.

“Five hundred trucks a day leave for Gaza, 275 million will be provided by the EU to the Palestinians. We have sent over 1,800 tons of medical supplies and we need to be sure that these supplies will reach Gaza,” she said.

Economic pressure in Egypt and conflicts and chaos in neighboring countries could drive more migrants to European shores.

Egypt has been a refuge for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to escape war or poverty. For some, Egypt is a destination. For others, it is a point of transit before attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.