Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a demonstration of the deepening partnership between Egypt and Cyprus, Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty held a joint press conference in Nicosia with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, following high-level political consultations between the two countries on Friday.
The talks come at a critical juncture, with Cyprus preparing to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union in January. Both sides underscored their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and regional fronts.
Minister Kombos praised the longstanding and robust relationship between the two nations, highlighting the continued coordination on regional stability and mutual interests. He expressed his government’s gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for the swift deployment of two military aircraft in July to help extinguish wildfires that had ravaged parts of Cyprus. The assistance, Kombos noted, had a tangible impact on containing the disaster and showcased Egypt’s solidarity in times of crisis.
The Cypriot foreign minister also pointed to the potential of expanding labor cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of implementing existing agreements that would enable the use of trained Egyptian workers in vital sectors such as construction and agriculture, particularly under seasonal employment frameworks.
For his part, Minister Abdel Aaty reaffirmed Egypt’s appreciation of its historic ties with Cyprus, noting the significance of Nicosia’s upcoming leadership role in the European Union. He lauded Cyprus for consistently supporting Egyptian interests within EU institutions and working to bolster Egypt-EU relations. Abdel Aaty described Cyprus as a strategic partner, particularly in advancing Mediterranean cooperation and in advocating for a more balanced European approach to regional issues.
The conversation also turned to urgent regional matters, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Minister Abdel Aaty delivered a firm message on Egypt’s position, reiterating Cairo’s categorical rejection of any plans to forcibly displace the Palestinian people or to undermine the Palestinian cause. He condemned the escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza and accused Israel of committing war crimes through the continued siege, starvation tactics, and what he described as acts of genocide against civilians.
Abdel Aaty called on the international community, including the European Union, to act decisively to stop the bloodshed and to uphold international humanitarian law. He stressed that a sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with long-standing international resolutions.
The joint appearance in Nicosia not only reinforced the strategic bond between Egypt and Cyprus but also positioned the partnership as a stabilizing force in a volatile region. With Cyprus poised to take on a greater role in the EU and Egypt remaining a key regional player, both ministers agreed to maintain close coordination on shared priorities ranging from energy cooperation to migration management and conflict resolution.
