In an ongoing series of meetings on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, met with his Cypriot counterpart, Konstantinos Kombos, underlining the strong strategic friendship and close consultations between the two nations.
According to a statement made by Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the meeting emphasized the enduring strength and resilience of strategic relations between Egypt and Cyprus.
Both sides expressed their appreciation for the steady progress witnessed in recent years across political, economic, and cultural facets. Mutual support stances in various regional and international forums were highlighted. Additionally, a shared desire to further boost bilateral cooperation and collaboration, including through the trilateral cooperation mechanism involving Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, was discussed.
Furthering Economic Cooperation and Tangible Projects
The spokesperson highlighted that a significant portion of the discussions focused on developing economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, aiming to broaden horizons by exploring more promising sectors for joint cooperation. Minister Shoukry emphasized the importance of translating political convergence into tangible projects that serve the interests and aspirations of both nations.
This requires collaborative efforts to refine and improve these cooperation areas, making them exemplary in bilateral relations. He also underscored the significance Egypt places on bolstering Cypriot investments in the Egyptian market, especially in energy sectors like natural gas and electrical connections, which are strategic areas of collaboration.
Both ministers stressed the need to overcome any obstacles facing the speedy execution of joint projects, building on the successful outcomes of the recent visit by the Cypriot President to Egypt last April, which resulted in an agreement to form a joint business council.
Cypriot Minister Lauds Historical and Strategic Ties
The Cypriot Minister expressed his country’s pride in the historical and strategic relationships binding Egypt and Cyprus. He reiterated his country’s aspirations for further steps to consolidate bilateral cooperation and existing friendship, in addition to working on enhancing trilateral cooperation with Greece.
The Cypriot minister expressed gratitude for Egypt’s support on the Cypriot issue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.
He lauded Egypt’s role as a stabilizing pillar in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, its counter-terrorism efforts, and its stance on illegal migration.
In his concluding remarks, the spokesperson highlighted that both ministers exchanged views and assessments on several regional and international crises, including the Palestinian issue, peace process revival, developments in the Libyan crisis, and supporting the efforts of the 6+6 committee to complete Libya’s constitutional path. The Cypriot minister was also keen to hear Minister Shoukry’s assessment of the Sudanese crisis.
In conclusion, both ministers agreed on the importance of continuing close political coordination on all matters of mutual interest.
