The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, had discussions with the President of Egypt, Mr. Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Egyptian counterpart, General Mohamed Zaki, in the context of his formal visit in Egypt, which starts today, Thursday, 3 December 2020.
The Minister of National Defence was welcomed by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Presidential Palace in Cairo; during the meeting, the excellent level of cooperation between the two countries, as well as the will for further enhancement of the strategic cooperation, were confirmed.
Next, Mr. Panagiotopoulos had a very cordial meeting with General Zaki at the Ministry of Defence of Egypt, which lasted more than thirty minutes. The Egyptian side pointed out its interest in reinforcing defence cooperation with Greece, with regard to the level of training and the conduct of joint military exercises, as well as the defence industry, through the development of synergies and partnerships, to the advantage of both sides.
During the discussions between the Greek and the Egyptian Minister of Defence, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean was closely examined, and the view that Turkey causes destabilization with its actions, a fact that deeply concerns the countries of the region, was expressed.
After the meeting, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“Today, in the context of my formal visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, I had a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and, afterwards, with my counterpart Minister of Defence, General Mohamed Zaki.
During the discussions, the excellent level of cooperation between the two countries was confirmed, as well as both countries’ will to further develop of their strategic cooperation in the defence sector.
I also had the opportunity to exchange views regarding the new geopolitical developments and the emerging security challenges and threats in the Eastern Mediterranean, due to Turkey’s destabilising, illegal and provocative activity. We examined ways of dealing with these challenges and threats, on the foundation of adherence to the principles of International Law, in order to safeguard the common interests of both countries, through the reinforcement of mutually beneficial strategic cooperation between them.
With my Egyptian counterpart I also discussed armaments and timely cooperation matters, with regard to the defence and defence-technical sector. Furthermore, we found out that the bilateral defence cooperation has reached a very good level, since a great number of military training activities, joint exercises and co-training of high operational value, both at bilateral and multilateral level, take place every year.
Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown of these exercises is the joint exercise “MEDOUSA”, conducted these last days in the wider region of Alexandria. On Saturday, 5 December, we will have the pleasure of observing the final phase of the exercise. As you know, the joint exercise “MEDOUSA” is a joint exercise of Greece and Egypt, with the participation of aeronautical forces and Special Operations forces from Cyprus and, for the first time this year, from France and the United Arab Emirates as well. This is a tangible proof of these countries’ will to promote, through their cooperation in the defence sector, the security in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean”.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos also visited the “6th October” Museum and laid wreaths in the Unknown Soldier Tomb and the Sadat Memorial.
