Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, late Wednesday night, July 23. The two leaders exchanged views on key regional developments, with particular focus on the situation in Gaza and ongoing developments in Libya.

According to official sources, the two leaders also addressed the need to strengthen cooperation on migration, a pressing issue for both countries in the context of regional instability.

A central theme of the discussion was the continued coordination between Greece and Egypt on matters concerning maritime zones in the Eastern Mediterranean. The delimitation of maritime boundaries in the region was discussed, with both leaders stressing the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to promote development and prosperity for the peoples of the region.

Both Mitsotakis and El-Sisi emphasized the importance of maintaining their countries’ close cooperation in the region, highlighting the need for joint efforts to ensure security and stability.

Libya featured prominently in the call as well. The two sides underscored the necessity of preserving peace and stability in the war-torn country and reiterated their support for a political process aimed at establishing a unified government that would be tasked with organizing simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.

In addition, Mitsotakis and El-Sisi reviewed progress in bilateral discussions regarding the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai. The monastery’s status quo regarding the ownership of its buildings has recently been jeopardized by a decision of an Egyptian court, raising concerns over the presence of the Greek Orthodox monks there. Both sides expressed the need for a prompt agreement to safeguard the monastery’s standing.

President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to the protection of religious sites within its territory, including the Monastery of Saint Catherine, acknowledging its profound religious and historical significance.