Greece and Egypt sign "Strategic Partnership" deal

“Our bilateral cooperation is based on political, economic, and cultural ties, which are deeply rooted in history and defined by our strong commitment to the values of peace and the full respect of international law,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a joint statement.

The two leaders met during the first meeting of the Supreme Cooperation Council, a body they agreed to establish more than a year ago to improve ties.

Both officials reaffirmed their joint stance on the need to respect international law to promote peace in Gaza.

“The first priority is for hostilities to stop and restore the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians,” Mr. Mitsotakis said in joint statements with Mr. al-Sisi.

He added that Greece supported an Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza once a ceasefire is achieved.

Migration also featured prominently on the agenda of bilateral talks.

European governments have long been concerned about potential instability in Egypt, a country of 106 million people where economic hardship has led to increased migration.

Egypt largely halted irregular migration from its north coast in 2016, but the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have seen a sharp increase in migrant arrivals, predominantly from Afghanistan and Egypt.