It clarifies the landscape regarding the design and implementation of the EastMed pipeline after the visit of the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, to the Egyptian capital, with the Turkish allegations about the definition of sea zones between the two countries being refuted in the most official way. During his visit to Cairo yesterday, the Greek Foreign Minister met with his Egyptian counterpart, with whom I discussed at length all issues related to the Eastern Mediterranean region and energy planning.
Nikos Dendias' one-on-one meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Soukri, lasted an hour and according to diplomatic sources, it was clarified that there is no discussion on delimiting the EEZ between Egypt and Turkey.
According to diplomatic sources cited by KYPE, the talks were held in an excellent atmosphere that once again confirmed the excellent relations between the two states.
The same sources point out that it was clarified in the discussions of the two ministers that there is absolutely no discussion on the delimitation of the EEZ between Egypt and Turkey.
Finally, there was an identification of the views of Greece and Egypt on regional issues with emphasis on the issue of Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean in general.
For his part, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the two ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries, but also issues of energy and tourism cooperation and strengthening entrepreneurship, while expressing their desire to continue the coordination of their actions on issues concerning the wider region.
Yesterday, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis. The telephone communication was made on the initiative of the Greek Prime Minister, in order to clarify the scene in relation to the issue of EastMed and the reports about plans for bypassing Cyprus. According to the statement of the Government Spokesman, Kyriakos Kousiou, that regarding the reports on the plans for the implementation of the EastMed pipeline, the Prime Minister of Greece assured that neither side raised the issue of cancellation of the construction of the project, as planned and clarified that bilateral talks with Egypt concern the possibility of building an additional pipeline for the supply to Greece of natural gas from Egypt.
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From the Egyptian side, it is categorically denied that there was any Cairo-Ankara approach to the issue. According to Arab News, Egyptian diplomatic sources have denied rumors that the Egyptian government has discussed the Eastern Mediterranean issue with Turkey.
Diplomatic sources stressed that Egypt has pledged to Greece and Turkey to participate in any negotiations with Turkey. Cairo has “no intention” of negotiating with Turkey on the issue, they noted.
Turkey's claims that an agreement is imminent are false, the sources said, adding that Egypt continues to reject the Turkish-Libyan memorandum.
“The Egyptian side remains firm in its position rejecting the maritime agreement signed between the Libyan National Accord government and Ankara,” diplomatic sources said.
“Egypt's respect for the maritime borders of the Mediterranean countries is not new and Turkey's efforts to claim that the two countries have negotiated are wrong,” they added.
The comments come after recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşo .lu about a possible EEZ agreement with Egypt.
The report recalls that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently had a telephone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during which they discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, especially in the field of energy.
Turkish activity has intensified relations with neighboring countries, especially Greece and Cyprus, as Ankara seeks to control regional waters that may contain significant amounts of natural gas, Arab News reports.
>> Arab League
During his visit to Egypt, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had a 45-minute meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Abul Git.
During the meeting between the two men, the Secretary General of the Arab League expressed his concern about the Turkish interventions in the affairs of the Arab states.
Messrs. Dendias and Abul Git confirmed Greece's excellent relations with the Arab League.
Among the issues discussed were the issues of Libya and Syria. There was a consensus on regional issues, especially in light of what was discussed at last week's Arab League ministerial meeting.
Dendias and Abul Git discussed ways to strengthen co-operation between Greece and the Arab League.
Kalin: We want to work with Egypt
The Turkish government continues to flirt with Egypt and reports of a resurgence in relations between the two countries. In an interview with Bloomberg, Ibrahim Kalin said: “We want to work with Egypt on the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and the Palestinian issue, which the world seems to have forgotten, and we want to discuss our bilateral relations.” .
“If we can take mutually constructive steps, such a partnership can help reduce tensions in the region and stabilize the region from North Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean,” he added. According to him, “Egypt is still the brain and the heart of the Arab world.”
There are, he said, “some financial and security issues, we understand that very well. “The two countries talking to each other can improve our bilateral and regional relations.”
This, he added, “applies to the other four Gulf states. “We have no unresolved problem with any Arab country,” he said, noting that “a new chapter in regional peace and stability can be opened with Egypt and other Gulf states.”
N. Anastasiadis in Athens for the 25th of March
The President of the Republic, according to the information of the Government Spokesman, accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during their telephone communication, to participate in the celebrations that will take place in Athens, on March 24 and 25, on the occasion of the completion 200 years since the Greek Revolution of 1821.
In the context of his communication, mutual information was provided in view of the convening by the UN Secretary General of the informal conference on Cyprus, which will be held in Geneva, on April 27-29, as well as in the light of the visit of the UN Secretary General Special Envoy for the Cypriot Mrs. Jane Hall Luth, in Cyprus and then in Greece.
Anastasiadis and Mitsotakis exchanged views and also agreed on joint actions to be taken in view of the European Council in Brussels on March 25th.
