Energy, security, and regional developments were the focus of the informal trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece,–Egypt in El Alamein on Tuesday, attended by the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirming the strategic importance of cooperation among the three countries for stabilitystability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In remarks following the trilateral meeting, President Christodoulides described the trilateral meeting as “informal in form but strategic in substance,” referring to the significance of the recent final investment decision regarding the Kronos field, which, he said, marks Cyprus’s transition to the era of natural gas exports to Europe, via Egypt’s infrastructure.
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The President of Egypt emphasized the Egypt-and Greece, as well as the prospect of transporting Cypriot natural gas through Egyptian infrastructure for re-export to European markets. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of cooperation in the fields of defense and security to address regional challenges.
At the same time, the Greek Prime Minister reaffirmed Greece’s support for the GREGY electricity interconnection and referred to the prospects of transporting Cypriot natural gas through Egypt to Europe.
The three leaders also discussed developments in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Libya, reiterating their support for the two-state solution and respect for international law.
Furthermore, the Joint Declaration issued by the three leaders included references to, among other issues, the Cyprus problem, Gaza, and Lebanon.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, in their Joint Declaration they welcomed the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy and expressed their support for the ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the problem within the framework of the United Nations and based on the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Christodoulides, Sisi, and Mitsotakis also referred to Gaza, emphasizing the importance of advancing the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan for Ending the Conflict.
The Joint Declaration issued by the three leaders also addressed Lebanon, with the leaders expressing their steadfast support for the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as well as the importance of the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. They also emphasized the need to cease all attacks against Lebanon and for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory. They also called for the strengthening of Lebanon’s state institutions, first and foremost the Lebanese Armed Forces, so that they may be in a position to assume their responsibilities by extending the State’s full authority and sovereignty throughout its entire territory.
The Joint Declaration reads as follows:
“We, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, having met in El-Alamein, on the occasion of the Trilateral Summit between our countries, reaffirm our pride in the historic relations and unbreakable bonds that unite our peoples, and our commitment to continue our joint efforts to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, in a manner that advances the interests of our peoples and strengthens efforts to address common, regional, and international challenges.
Given the growing importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region, at a time of intense geopolitical challenges, we emphasize the importance of ongoing consultation and coordination among our three countries. Building on the achievements of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism since its establishment in Cairo in November 2014, which has served as a successful model for regional cooperation, we remain committed to its further development, based on the principles of trust, respect, and cooperation. We reaffirm our collective determination to safeguard security and stability in the region, as well as to resolve disputes and crises through political and diplomatic means, and we reject any actions that would heighten tensions, undermine regional stability, or threaten peace and security in the region. We underscore the importance of respecting national sovereignty, the independence and territorial integrity of States, the refraining from the threat or use of force, and full compliance with the rules of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We reaffirm the importance of full respect for international law and the commitment of all States to upholding its principles, in a manner that safeguards the rights of all States concerned and contributes to peace, security, and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. We reiterate that any Agreements or Memoranda of Cooperation regarding the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction must be agreed upon in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
We welcome the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy on the Cyprus issue and express our support for the ongoing efforts to achieve acomprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United Nations, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions. We emphasize that reaching a definitive settlement of the Cyprus problem would contribute significantly to strengthening peace and stability in the region.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and for the need to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. We reiterate our support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions. We emphasize the importance of promoting the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan for Ending the Conflict in Gaza, as adopted by UN Security Council Resolution 2803. This would ensure the launch of reconstruction and early rehabilitation in Gaza, as well as the preservation of the unity of the Palestinian territories. We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stress that it is essential for humanitarian aid to reach the population safely, swiftly, and on a large scale. We also reaffirm the geographical, political, and legal proximity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and reject any attempts to separate them, including policies aimed at the forced displacement of the Palestinian population.
We reaffirm our steadfast support for the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as well as the importance of the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. We stress the need for a cessation of all attacks against Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. We call for the strengthening of the institutions of the Lebanese State, first and foremost among them the Lebanese Armed Forces, so that they may be in a position to assume their responsibilities by extending the State’s full authority and sovereignty throughout its entire territory.
We reaffirm our support for the sovereignty, the territorial integrity, and the national unity of Libya, as well as an inclusive political process led and controlled by the Libyans themselves, without foreign interference. We also call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya and express our support for the United Nations’ efforts to hold both presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, as soon as possible, within the framework of Libyan ownership.
We reaffirm that energy security is a shared interest and a key pillar of trilateral cooperation. We express our commitment to continue developing electricity interconnection projects, including the GREGY interconnection project, thereby strengthening energy security and the interconnection of the Eastern Mediterranean with European markets.
We also underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation in the natural gas sector, thereby supporting regional and European energy security. In this context, we attach particular importance to recent developments regarding the connection of Cypriot natural gas fields to Egyptian natural gas infrastructure and facilities, and we call for their completion as soonpossible.
We emphasize the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of water security and the sustainable management of water resources, in light of the growing challenges facing the region, including water scarcity and climate change. In this context, we recognize Egypt’s heavy dependence on the Nile River and reaffirm our support for its water security. We reiterate the importance of full compliance with international law in the Nile Basin, including the issue of the Ethiopian Dam. Furthermore, we emphasize that transboundary water resources, including the Nile River, should serve as a means of cooperation and regional integration rather than as a source of conflict. To this end, we reaffirm the need to uphold the “do no harm” principle and the obligation to cooperate—including prior notification, consultation, and consent— as well as refraining from unilateral measures that could adversely affect Egypt’s water uses and needs, in a manner that safeguards the interests of all concerned states.
We attach particular importance to strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation among our countries, and to translating our excellent political relations into tangible economic opportunities for our peoples. Making the most of our geographical location, as well as the comparative advantages of our three countries, will open up new horizons for the private sector and promote synergy among our economies. We encourage intensified communication between business communities and the development of partnerships in sectors of primary importance, thereby contributing to sustainable development and job creation.
We note that addressing irregular migration requires a holistic and balanced approach that combines security and development dimensions, as well as economic and social aspects. We emphasize the importance of expanding cooperation in the area of legal migration and promoting the provision of organized employment opportunities for Egyptian workers, both in Cyprus and in Greece, in accordance with relevant legislation and bilateral agreements.
We emphasize the importance of continuing to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership Strategy between Egypt and the European Union, which contributes to supporting stability, development, and prosperity in Egypt and the region. We welcome the progress made in implementing the six pillars that constitute the framework of this partnership, and we reaffirm our determination to continue close coordination within this framework to advance our common interests and contribute to strengthening connectivity between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
We reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening and developing the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism and enhancing its effectiveness through regular monitoring of implementation of the agreements and intensified coordination among the governments of the three countries, their institutions, and the private sector. This will ensure that the existing political consensus is translated into tangible projects and programs for the benefit of the peoples of the three countries.
We recall the commitment made at the 10th Trilateral Summit to the practical implementation and establishment of a Permanent Secretariat within the framework of the Trilateral Mechanism of Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, based in Nicosia.
As our Summit concludes, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic relationship between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, as well as our determination to continue our joint efforts toward a safer, more stable, and more prosperous region. We underscore our intention to build on the achievements of previous years and to strengthen this partnership, in a manner that responds to the aspirations of the peoples of our three countries and consolidates peace, progress, and cooperation in our region.
We, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, express our deepest appreciation to the President, the Government, and the people of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting today’s Trilateral Summit. We look forward to the upcoming 11th Trilateral Summit in Cyprus, where we will continue our joint efforts toward a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous future.”
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