Egypt, Greece sign strategic partnership declaration; Sisi hails ‘new phase of close cooperation'

Egypt Today

07-05-2025

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi speaks during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, May 7, 2025 – Egyptian Presidency/Still image
CAIRO – 7 May 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said he signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Mitsotakis, Sisi stated that the declaration 'consolidates the deep and distinguished relations between our two friendly countries and establishes a new phase of close cooperation on all levels.'
Sisi also commended the convening of the first High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Egypt and Greece today, describing it as 'a pivotal station and a qualitative leap in the path of Egyptian-Greek relations.'
Sisi added that the council 'embodies the shared political will to elevate the level of bilateral coordination and cooperation.'
Comprehensive Relations
Sisi hailed the 'tangible outcome' of the council meeting, especially with both countries agreeing to expand the scope of cooperation to include the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism, technology, and entrepreneurship, as well as energy, security, and migration.
Sisi emphasized the great importance Egypt attaches to the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Greece, known as GREGY, lauding the project as 'a strategic step with regional and international dimensions.'
The president emphasized that GREGY is 'the first direct connection of clean energy coming from Egypt to Europe via Greece.'
Sisi said Egypt looks forward to the continued support of the European Union for this ambitious project and for the acceleration of its implementation steps.
He also noted Egypt's interest in continuing cooperation with Greece in the field of natural gas.
The president called for expediting the implementation of the agreement to bring Egyptian seasonal workers to work in sectors where Greece wishes to recruit labor.
He called for intensifying joint cooperation between the two countries in the fields of combating terrorism and illegal immigration, based on the successful Egyptian experience in these two areas.
'Protecting Saint Catherine's Monastery'
Sisi affirmed Egypt's commitment to protecting Saint Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, denying rumors circulating about any negative actions by Egypt towards the monastery.
Late last year, the Egyptian government denied any threats or plans to evacuate Saint Catherine's Monastery, which belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church, was built in the sixth century, and is under Greek supervision.
'I was very upset when the topic of Saint Catherine's Monastery was raised and that Egypt might take any negative action... not only because of the monastery's status, but because this contradicts the principles of Egyptian belief and policy that we practice,' the President stated.
He continued, 'When extremists burned 65 churches in Egypt, we rebuilt them again, and we are building places of worship for Muslims and Christians in new communities.'
'If I had Jewish citizens, I would build synagogues for them,' he added.
The president said he is denying these rumors in light of the historical relationship and the great affection between the Egyptian and Greek people.
'I became very concerned that this affection is being tampered with through a sensitive issue like this, and this will not happen.'
Sisi underlined his and Egypt's commitment to the connection between Saint Catherine's Monastery and the Egyptian state as 'a perpetual contract that no one can touch.'
'This [monastery] carries within it the remains of a saint for more than 1500 years … Anyone who visits Egypt, we tell them, 'Come and see Saint Catherine's Monastery, of a great saint who was a believer at a time when there was no faith.''
'Our people in Egypt and Greece are one people.'
'Starvation as a Weapon' in Gaza
Sisi said that he exchanged views with Mitsotakis on many regional and international issues.
Most notably, they discussed the dangerous developments in the Middle East resulting from the Israeli war on Gaza, and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave for over 18 months.
Sisi said he affirmed Egypt's firm position on the need to revive the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and release prisoners and captives.
He also called for ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities, stressing rejection of 'the use of starvation and denial of medical services as a weapon against civilians.'