Egypt, Greece, Cyprus bolster energy partnership and regional diplomacy at Alamein summit
"At the trilateral summit in Alamein, the leaders of Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece agreed to accelerate key regional energy projects, prioritizing the GREGY electricity interconnector and the pipeline connection of Cypriot offshore gas fields to Egyptian LNG terminals for re-export to Europe. Beyond activating a permanent cooperation secretariat in Nicosia, the summit reinforced a joint geopolitical front on Middle East stability—calling for de-escalation in Gaza and Lebanon while affirming Egypt’s Nile water security and international maritime law in the Eastern Mediterranean. "
EU Directive 2019/790 Article 15 Attribution • Verified Energy Document
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis converged in Alamein on Tuesday for a trilateral summit aimed at deepening energy cooperation, reinforcing regional security, and coordinating responses to escalating conflicts across the Middle East.
Concluding the summit, the three leaders issued a joint declaration, reiterating their steadfast commitment to the trilateral cooperation mechanism. Established in Cairo in November 2014, this framework was hailed as a successful model for regional integration. To further institutionalize this cooperation, they agreed to activate a permanent secretariat for the mechanism, which will be based in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Energy was a central theme of the discussions, with President Al-Sisi emphasizing its prominence in the tripartite relationship during a joint press conference. The leaders voiced their strong intention to accelerate electricity interconnection projects, particularly the GREGY interconnector. This ambitious project aims to link Egypt and Greece, thereby connecting the Eastern Mediterranean region with broader European energy markets.
Strategic collaboration in natural gas also took precedence. The leaders called for the swift finalization of plans to connect Cypriot gas fields with existing Egyptian infrastructure. This initiative, designed for the liquefaction and re-export of gas to Europe, was underscored as a crucial step for bolstering both regional and European energy security.
Beyond energy, the summit explored avenues for enhancing economic, commercial, and investment ties. President Al-Sisi highlighted diverse investment opportunities available in Egypt, spanning key sectors such as information technology, tourism, industry, health, education, and construction. Furthermore, the leaders agreed to expand cooperation on regular migration, facilitating organized employment opportunities for Egyptian workers in Greece and Cyprus under existing bilateral agreements.
Addressing pressing regional stability concerns, the three nations underscored the imperative to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. They collectively reaffirmed their unwavering support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Profound concern was expressed in the joint declaration regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The leaders urged for the safe, rapid, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. They also backed advancing the second phase of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to resolve the conflict and supported UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which aims to facilitate early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza. Critically, the declaration rejected any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian population or sever the geographical connection between the West Bank and Gaza.
On the situation in Lebanon, the leaders called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, an immediate cessation of attacks, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. They stressed the importance of strengthening Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Armed Forces, to ensure stability.
The summit also addressed the ongoing crisis in Libya, with the leaders reiterating their support for a Libyan-led political process free from foreign interference and demanding the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries.
Regarding Egypt’s vital water security, Greece and Cyprus expressed their support for Cairo’s position on the Nile waters, which President Al-Sisi described as an existential issue and a matter of national security. The joint declaration emphasized the necessity for full compliance with international law concerning the Ethiopian dam, affirming principles such as "no harm," prior notification, and the avoidance of unilateral actions.
Prior to the trilateral summit, President Al-Sisi held separate bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Mitsotakis. According to the Egyptian presidency, their talks covered bilateral cooperation in tourism, transport, and technology, alongside a review of regional developments, including the situations in Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, and the critical importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in international maritime corridors.