Egypt, Greece and Cyprus will celebrate this year the tenth anniversary of their trilateral co-operation.
Relations between the three Mediterranean nations have been growing rapidly in recent years.
This growth manifested itself in co-operation and coordination between them at the political, economic and military levels.
Those closely following the development of these relations view them as a real model for regional integration.
In this interview with the Cypriot Ambassador to Egypt, Homer Mavrommatis, the Egyptian Mail digs deep into co-operation between the three states, in general, and between Cairo and Nicosia, in particular.
Ambassador Mavrommatis described Egypt and Cyprus as bilateral co-operation ‘pioneers’.
”Excellent relations between the two countries build on the momentum gained in the last ten years,” the Cypriot diplomat said.
Cairo and Nicosia are signing a large number of co-operation memos and agreements.
Ambassador Mavrommatis said these documents are unprecedented in the history of relations between the two capitals.
This is why he is sounding an optimistic note about the future of collaboration between them.
”I believe this co-operation will continue in the future,” Ambassador Mavrommatis said.
He cited tangible results for this co-operation, including through the creation of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, an OPEC-like organisation of natural gas producers in the region.
Ambassador Mavrommatis said the forum, which is based in Egypt, is a milestone in regional co-operation.
He revealed that the forum is now in the process of formulating criteria for its membership.
He expressed hopes that the bloc can accept new members in the future.
Ambassador Mavrommatis referred to what he called ‘great interests’ in forum membership.
“I believe the forum will be a great pillar of gas co-operation in the region,” he said.
Egypt, which aspires to become a regional energy hub, has already stepped up its liquefied natural gas exports.
Cyprus and Egypt have already signed an agreement for processing Cypriot natural gas in Edco in Egypt.
The two countries are also working to create an electricity interconnection between them.
Ambassador Mavrommatis referred to a bilateral agreement with Egypt and a trilateral agreement that also includes Greece on electricity interconnectivity.
The three countries, he said, are working closely in this regard.
He underscored the importance of participation from the private sector in electricity interconnection projects.
Top officials from Egypt, Cyprus and Greece launched their three countries’ Business Forum a few years ago.
Along with other co-operation mechanisms, Ambassador Mavrommatis said, the forum reflected deep understandings at the level of the leadership in the three states.
However, he expressed hopes that trade ties between Egypt and Cyprus would rise up to the level of their historical and political relations.
”Cyprus is a service-oriented country,” he said.
He expected natural gas to push trade exchange with Egypt forward in the coming period.
Trade exchange between the two countries reached $100 million last year, a fraction of what Ambassador Mavrommatis aspires to.
Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, visited Cairo in September last year to attend the Supreme Egyptian-Cypriot Government Committee, another important co-operation mechanism with Egypt.
Speaking at a press briefing following talks with the Cypriot leader, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi described relations with Cyprus as a ‘regional integration model’.
The Supreme Committee, President Sisi said, would remain as an important venue for regular consultations on regional issues.
President Anastasiades said regular correspondence between ministers and officials on the two sides had helped develop ideas and open horizons of co-operation between them.
President Sisi and President Anastasiades agreed to increase the exchange of expertise on green hydrogen, and solar and thermal energy.
Business forums are held between the two countries also to push co-operation between them in the fields of pharmaceuticals, fisheries, and education forward.
The two countries also prepare to sign a memorandum of understanding on higher education and scientific research in the coming period.
Ambassador Mavrommatis expected other areas of co-operation in education, culture, agriculture and the environment to be opened in the future.
He added that the Egyptian-Cypriot Cultural Week is one of the results of developing ties between the two nations.
”The East Mediterranean is a region that needs security,” Ambassador Mavrommatis said. “The East Mediterranean Gas Forum is open for new members, provided that new members respect international law and the law of the sea.”
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