By Manal Abdel Fattah
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry chaired, with his Greek counterpart, George Geraptritis, an expanded discussion session, in the presence of the delegations of the two countries, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Tahrir Palace.
The discussion session dealt with following up on cooperation mechanisms between Egypt and Greece at various levels, and consulting on efforts to end the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prevent the expansion of the conflict, and ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
In another context, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received today the Greek Foreign Minister, George Geraptritis, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry.
The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the Greek Foreign Minister conveyed the greetings of the Greek Prime Minister to Mr. President, stressing his country’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt in all fields, which Mr. President appreciated, stressing the importance of the strategic relationship between the two countries, and praising coordination and cooperation. Between the two sides on various issues, whether at the bilateral level or through the tripartite mechanism with Cyprus.
The official spokesman added that the meeting dealt with the tense regional situation, as Mr. President warned of the danger of military escalation in the region on more than one front, stressing the necessity of defusing the current tense situation through an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and implementing humanitarian aid to ensure alleviation of the crisis. Humanitarian affairs in the Gaza Strip, stressing that Egypt will continue to make all possible efforts to provide support and relief to the people of the Gaza Strip, and work to calm the situation.
The Greek Foreign Minister agreed with the Egyptian position, stressing that the current crisis reaffirmed the pivotal importance of Egypt as an indispensable pillar of stability in the Middle East. It was also agreed on the necessity of pushing seriously and quickly towards settling the Palestinian issue in a just and comprehensive manner, as it is the central issue in the region, and the way To bring peace, security and stability there.