Excellencies,
Dear guests,
It is with immense pleasure that I am here today, among so many friends, in order to celebrate the National Day of Egypt.
We celebrate today an emblematic moment in Egypt’s history, and if I may say so, a very long history.
A moment that shaped the country’s trajectory through the years.
Now the interaction between Greece and Egypt goes back centuries.
In our days, I have to say again with pride, it has reached an unprecedented levels, we have done plenty in the last three years. That has to do a lot not with politicians, but with a common vision of the people.
It reflects the will of the people to thrive in this challenging place in the world, the Eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt, it is recognised, is a leading force in the Arab World and beyond that. And it has an important role to play in enhancing security in the wider region.
A direct result of President Sisi’s and his government’s efforts, and their engagement in promoting stability in our region and working for the welfare of the country and the region.
In the last three years, Greece and Egypt have striven together to solidify our bilateral relations.
Two years ago, I will always treasure the day, we signed our bilateral Agreement for the delimitation of our maritime zones, after almost thirty years of negotiations.
An ?greement based on the International Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, as we all know. And we have cooperated very closely, in the fields of defence, economy, investment, tourism and energy, you name it, it’s there. Between us and with other friendly and important countries, I should mention France as one of the most important.
Despite the limitations posed by the pandemic, we have exchanged a significant number of visits. I personally have been to Cairo I think twelve times and I am preparing for the 13th. And also we have managed to promote our trilateral format of cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus.
We have signed the Agreement for the electrical interconnection between us, again a very proud moment in our relations.
Recently, I had the pleasure to join my dear friend, the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, in Brussels for the EU-Egypt Association Council.
And I believe Egypt knows that our country is a steadfast supporter within the European Union and in other international fora, of Egypt.
The destinies, allow me to say, of our two nations are linked.
This has allowed the forming of a strong bond of friendship and a very strong bond of fruitful cooperation, and I am convinced that this path is the one we are going to follow in the future.
So, I would like to sincerely congratulate you once more on the occasion of your National Day, and wish happiness and prosperity to the friendly people of Egypt.
Thank you so much.
Source: Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs