Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have committed to further developing GREGY, the electricity interconnection project included in the trilateral cooperation’s energy planning, according to the Joint Declaration of the Trilateral Summit held in El Alamein.
The three countries describe energy security as a common interest and a key pillar of their cooperation, expressing their determination to continue developing electricity interconnection projects, with particular reference to GREGY. The aim, as stated in the Declaration, is to strengthen energy security and connect the Eastern Mediterranean with European markets.
At the same time, Athens, Nicosia and Cairo place particular emphasis on cooperation in the natural gas sector, linking it to both regional and European energy security. In this context, they underline the importance of recent developments concerning the connection of Cyprus’s natural gas fields with Egyptian gas infrastructure and facilities, calling for the relevant actions to be completed as soon as possible.
Support for UN efforts on the Cyprus issue
The Cyprus issue also occupies a prominent place in the Joint Declaration, with the three countries expressing their support for ongoing efforts under the auspices of the United Nations.
Greece, Cyprus and Egypt welcome the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for Cyprus and support ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the issue.
As stated in the Declaration, the desired solution should be reached within the UN framework and based on the relevant Security Council resolutions. The three sides also stress that a final settlement of the Cyprus issue would make a significant contribution to strengthening peace and stability in the wider region.
The reference to Cyprus forms part of the Trilateral’s broader message concerning respect for national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the rejection of threats or the use of force.
In the same context, the three countries underline the importance of full compliance with the rules of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, while supporting the resolution of disputes and crises through political and diplomatic means.
The message on maritime zones
The Declaration also contains a clear reference to maritime jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece, Cyprus and Egypt reiterate that any agreements or memoranda of understanding concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction should be concluded on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The three sides note that adherence to international law is essential to safeguarding the rights of all states involved and to maintaining peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
At the same time, they reaffirm their intention to continue the close cooperation developed through the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism, which was established in Cairo in November 2014.
The aim is to translate the existing political cooperation into concrete projects and programmes, with regular monitoring of agreements and closer coordination among the governments, institutions and private sectors of the three countries.
The Declaration also recalls the commitment to establish a Permanent Secretariat of the Trilateral Mechanism, based in Nicosia, while the next, 11th Trilateral Summit will be held in Cyprus.
The Joint Declaration of the Trilateral Summit
“We, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, having met in El Alamein on the occasion of the Trilateral Summit between our countries, reaffirm our pride in the historic relations and unbreakable bonds connecting our peoples, as well as our commitment to continuing joint efforts to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, in a manner that advances the interests of our peoples and strengthens efforts to address common regional and international challenges.
Given the growing importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region at a time of intense geopolitical challenges, we emphasise the importance of continued consultation and coordination among our three countries. Building on the achievements of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism since its establishment in Cairo in November 2014, which has served as a successful model for regional cooperation, we remain committed to further developing it, based on the principles of trust, respect and cooperation.
We reaffirm our collective determination to safeguard security and stability in the region and to resolve disputes and crises through political and diplomatic means. We reject any actions that would increase tensions, undermine regional stability or threaten peace and security in the region. We underline the importance of respecting the national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, refraining from the threat or use of force, and fully complying with the rules of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We once again emphasise the importance of full respect for international law and the commitment of all states to upholding its principles in a manner that safeguards the rights of all states involved and contributes to peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. We reiterate that any agreements or memoranda of understanding concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction should be concluded on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
We welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Personal Envoy for Cyprus and express our support for ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the United Nations framework, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions. We stress that achieving a final settlement of the Cyprus problem would make a significant contribution to strengthening peace and stability in the region.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the need to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. We reiterate our support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
We stress the importance of advancing implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, as approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2803. This would ensure the launch of reconstruction and early recovery in Gaza, as well as the preservation of the unity of the Palestinian territories.
We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stress that humanitarian aid must reach the population safely, rapidly and on a large scale. We also reaffirm the geographic, political and legal contiguity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and reject any attempts to separate them, including policies aimed at the forced displacement of the Palestinian population.
We once again underline our firm support for the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and the importance of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. We stress the need for all attacks against Lebanon to cease and for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory. We call for the strengthening of Lebanese state institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese Armed Forces, so that they are able to assume their responsibilities by extending the full authority and sovereignty of the state throughout its territory.
We reaffirm our support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya, as well as for an inclusive political process led and controlled by the Libyans themselves, without foreign interference. We also call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya and express our support for UN efforts to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, as soon as possible, within a Libyan-owned framework.
We confirm that energy security is a common interest and a key pillar of trilateral cooperation. We express our determination to continue developing electricity interconnection projects, including the GREGY interconnection project, in order to strengthen energy security and connect the Eastern Mediterranean with European markets.
We also highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the natural gas sector, thereby supporting regional and European energy security. In this context, we attach particular importance to recent developments concerning the connection of Cyprus’s natural gas fields with Egyptian gas infrastructure and facilities and call for their completion as soon as possible.
We stress the importance of strengthening cooperation in water security and the sustainable management of water resources, in light of the growing challenges facing the region, including water scarcity and climate change.
In this context, we recognise Egypt’s heavy dependence on the Nile River and reaffirm our support for its water security. We reiterate the importance of full compliance with international law in the Nile Basin, including with regard to the Ethiopian Dam.
Furthermore, we underline that transboundary water resources, including the Nile River, should serve as a means of cooperation and regional integration rather than as a source of conflict. To this end, we reaffirm the need to observe the ‘do no harm’ principle and the obligation to cooperate, including through prior notification, consultation and consent, as well as refraining from unilateral measures that could adversely affect Egypt’s water uses and needs, in a manner that safeguards the interests of all states concerned.
We attach particular importance to strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation among our countries and to translating our excellent political relations into tangible economic opportunities for our peoples. Making effective use of our geographical position and the comparative advantages of our three countries will create new opportunities for the private sector and promote synergies among our economies.
We encourage intensified communication between business communities and the development of partnerships in key sectors, thereby contributing to sustainable development and job creation.
We note that addressing irregular migration requires a holistic and balanced approach combining security and development considerations, as well as economic and social dimensions. We stress the importance of expanding cooperation in the field of legal migration and encouraging the provision of organised employment opportunities for Egyptian workers, both in Cyprus and Greece, in accordance with relevant legislation and bilateral agreements.
We stress the importance of continuing to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Egypt and the European Union, which contributes to supporting stability, development and prosperity in Egypt and the region. We welcome the progress made in implementing the six pillars forming the framework of this partnership and reaffirm our determination to continue close coordination in this context to advance our common interests and contribute to strengthening connectivity between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
We reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening and developing the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism and enhancing its effectiveness through regular monitoring of the implementation of agreements and intensified coordination among the governments of the three countries, their institutions and the private sector. This will ensure that the existing political consensus is translated into tangible projects and programmes for the benefit of the peoples of all three countries.
We recall the commitment made at the 10th Trilateral Summit to practically establish and set up a Permanent Secretariat within the Egypt–Cyprus–Greece Trilateral Mechanism, based in Nicosia.
At the conclusion of our Summit, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic relationship between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, as well as our determination to continue our joint efforts towards a safer, more stable and prosperous region. We underline our intention to build on the achievements of previous years and strengthen this partnership in a manner that reflects the aspirations of the peoples of our three countries and consolidates peace, progress and cooperation in our region.
We, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, express our deepest appreciation to the President, Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting today’s Trilateral Summit.
We look forward to the next, 11th Trilateral Summit in Cyprus, where we will continue our joint efforts towards a safer, more peaceful and prosperous future.”
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