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Dear Minister,
Dear Sameh,
It is with great pleasure that
I welcome today a valuable friend to Cyprus. Though we meet quite frequently,
the fact that you are visiting Cyprus, in the midst of the tragic events in
Gaza and when serious developments are taking place, is something that we
really appreciate.
Allow me to set out the
context:
Cyprus and Egypt are strategic
partners. We have worked closely together to build solid and principled
relations, guided by honesty and trust, common interests and transparency. We
are tasked to both advance further and deepen in tangible terms our bilateral
partnership. This has been the compass for today’s deliberations. In
specific, reference can be made to four topics of our discussions:
Firstly, we considered
foundational elements, like our common commitment to principles of
international law, to the rules based international order, as well as to the
instrumental role of regional multilateralism.
I briefed His Excellency on the
latest developments regarding the Cyprus Problem. We stand ready to support
the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and to work
closely together with the aim to break the deadlock and resume substantive negotiations
in order to reach a viable and lasting solution on the basis of a Bizonal,
Bicommunal Federation with political equality, as provided in the relevant UN
Security Council Resolutions. Nothing less.
In this direction, Egypt’s
long-standing principled stand, in all international fora, is highly
appreciated and precious.
Secondly, we explored a number
of the issues that define our bilateral agenda. We focused on the energy
cooperation. The transportation of natural gas from the Exclusive Economic
Zone of the Republic of Cyprus to Egypt for liquefaction remains a predominant
development option for the involved companies. Politically, we are fully
cognisant of Egypt’s unique role in the energy field in our region and
beyond. Our continuing cooperation within the framework of the East
Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) is an integral component in our energy
relation.
Thirdly, we discussed the
strengthening of the relations between Egypt and the European Union (EU),
especially the next steps to implement and expand the 10th EU – Egypt
Association Council outcomes, in line with Egypt’s crucial geostrategic role
and its valuable contribution to the EU’s security in a number of areas.
Migration control, energy diversification and regional stability could not be
taken for granted, and Egypt has been, and remains, a pillar of reason and
reliability at a high and increasing cost that needs to be fully and
creatively addressed by the EU. This is the message that Cyprus has been
delivering to Brussels, and we will continue to do so.
Lastly, in today’s discussions
we also shared our profound concern as regards the ongoing conflict in the
Middle East, something we have discussed repeatedly in the last months, as
well as the developments in the Red Sea.
Cyprus underscores that
de-escalation and the resumption of the peace process, based on a two-state
solution as per UN Security Council Resolutions, is the only way to end the
cycle of violence. It is the only way of fostering conditions of peace and
stability.
We also talked in-depth about
the importance of getting more aid into Gaza for the civilians in need. We
acknowledge Egypt’s vital contribution in tirelessly delivering aid to Gaza
through the Rafah crossing point.
In this context, we also
discussed Cyprus’ efforts, including the initiative for a dedicated one-way
maritime corridor as one more way of providing additional aid to civilians
that desperately need it. As an integral partner of the region, Cyprus has a
moral duty to do its own part.
Also, let me once again state
the obvious; Cyprus rejects in the most absolute terms any displacement of a
single Palestinian from Gaza.
In conclusion, I would like to
thank you again, dear Sameh, for the productive exchange, and a very warm
welcome to Cyprus.
Thank you.
(MF/NGian/IA)
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