Cyprus, Greece and Egypt Deepen Strategic Cooperation on Energy and Security (Video)

EL ALAMEIN, Egypt — Cyprus, Greece and Egypt reaffirmed their strategic partnership on energy, security, trade and regional stability at a trilateral summit in El Alamein on Tuesday, while also adopting common positions on Gaza, the Cyprus issue, Lebanon and Libya.

In a joint declaration following the summit, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi described energy security as a shared interest and a central pillar of their cooperation.

The three leaders pledged to advance electricity interconnection projects, including the GREGY project, aimed at strengthening energy links between the Eastern Mediterranean and European markets. They also placed particular emphasis on cooperation in natural gas, including efforts to connect Cyprus’ offshore gas fields with Egypt’s gas infrastructure and facilities.

The declaration called for those projects to be completed as quickly as possible.

Christodoulides highlighted the recent final investment decision for the Kronos gas field in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone as a major milestone for the three-way partnership.

He said the decision marks Cyprus’ transition toward exporting natural gas to continental Europe through Egyptian infrastructure and demonstrates the potential of the Eastern Mediterranean to become an alternative energy corridor for Europe.

Beyond energy, the leaders agreed to intensify economic, commercial and investment cooperation, with the aim of turning their strong political ties into concrete opportunities for businesses and workers.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in legal migration, including organized employment opportunities for Egyptian workers in Greece and Cyprus.

Gaza and regional security

The summit also focused heavily on the deteriorating regional security environment and the war in Gaza.

The three countries reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution and for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for humanitarian assistance to reach the population safely, rapidly and on a large scale. They also rejected attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and opposed policies aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians.

The declaration backed implementation of the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan for Ending the Conflict in Gaza, as approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, saying that this would help launch reconstruction and early recovery in Gaza while preserving the unity of the Palestinian territories.

Christodoulides said Cyprus would continue to complement land-based humanitarian routes through Egypt and Jordan with its maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza.

Mitsotakis thanked Christodoulides for the creation of the maritime corridor and stressed that Egypt’s role in humanitarian assistance and efforts to stabilize Gaza remains indispensable.

The three leaders also expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, an end to attacks against Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

On Libya, they backed a Libyan-led political process, the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, and efforts toward simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.

Cyprus and maritime security

The Cyprus issue remained another central point of the summit.

Egypt, Greece and Cyprus reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive settlement within the UN framework and in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Mitsotakis said Greece fully supports efforts by the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy to restart negotiations and make progress toward a just and sustainable settlement.

Christodoulides, meanwhile, thanked Egypt for its longstanding support for efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunify Cyprus on the basis of UN resolutions.

The three countries also stressed the importance of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, including adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Maritime security was a particular focus, with the leaders describing freedom and safety of navigation and the protection of maritime routes, energy infrastructure and international trade as strategic priorities.

Mitsotakis said Greece’s upcoming presidency of the UN Security Council in October would include initiatives highlighting the importance of freedom of navigation.

He also stressed that Greece seeks stable relations and good-neighborly cooperation based on international law, while making clear that this does not mean accepting faits accomplis.

Defense and institutional cooperation

The trilateral mechanism, established more than a decade ago, is also set to become more institutionalized.

Christodoulides said the sixth trilateral meeting of the three countries’ defense ministers would take place in Cairo within two weeks, followed by a meeting of their foreign ministers in New York later in September.

The leaders also reaffirmed plans to establish a Permanent Secretariat for the trilateral mechanism in Nicosia and to strengthen monitoring of agreements so that political commitments translate into concrete projects.

Sisi said the three countries share common principles and values and have a common interest in strengthening regional stability. He pointed to expanding cooperation in electricity interconnection, natural gas, innovation, industry and infrastructure, as well as security and defense.

He stressed that regional security must be based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of states.

Christodoulides described the trilateral format as “informal in form, but strategic in substance,” saying it rests on four main pillars: stability, connectivity, security and regional cooperation.

He said the partnership has developed into a structure based on mutual trust and common objectives and has continued to expand across multiple areas.

The three leaders also stressed the importance of strengthening Egypt’s relationship with the European Union. Christodoulides said Cyprus and Greece would continue supporting closer EU-Egypt relations, including further European financial assistance to Egypt.

The next trilateral summit will be held in Cyprus, where the three governments are expected to continue efforts to turn their political cooperation into practical initiatives in energy, connectivity, investment and regional security.