Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel-Aati held a phone call Friday with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, to discuss strengthening ties and expanding co-operation, Egypt’s foreign ministry said.
The ministers praised the growing momentum in relations between the two countries and stressed the importance of building on recent agreements, particularly in the economic, investment and energy sectors.
Abdel-Aati called for speeding up implementation of a memorandum of understanding on employing Egyptian workers in Cyprus, the ministry said.
He also stressed the need to further develop trilateral co-operation among Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, describing it as a successful model of regional coordination. The countries should broaden collaboration in trade, investment, energy and tourism while encouraging greater private-sector involvement, he said.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional developments and efforts to contain escalation and prevent the spread of tensions.
Abdel-Aati outlined Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to support de-escalation and promote political solutions to regional crises, warning that the current situation required intensified diplomatic action and closer regional and international coordination.
Regarding Iran, the ministers agreed on the importance of continued communication and coordination to help resolve outstanding disputes through diplomatic means.
They urged all parties to pursue negotiations and mediation and avoid military escalation, which they said could seriously affect regional security and stability, energy security, freedom of navigation and global trade and supply chains.
