Egypt's interim President Adly Mansour met with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias on Monday during his first official visit to an EU country, discussing bilateral investments as well as regional issues.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Mansour praised the Greek government for what he described as a policy of avoiding intervening in other states' domestic affairs, and for being one of the "most understanding countries of Egypt's historic situation."

"I have come here representing the new Egypt, which a few days ago took its first step towards [becoming] a modern, civil state," said Mansour.

The interim president stated that Greek investment in Egypt is worth $1 billion annually, and that the two countries are discussing ways to increase mutual investment.

According to Mansour, the presidents also discussed the Syria crisis, and agreed that that the answer should be based on a political solution and not a military one.

They urged for the need to fight "extremism and terrorism," Mansour added.

The presidents also agreed that they welcome the US's attempts for peace in the Middle East as well as discussing future plans for nuclear proliferation in the region and solutions to the longstanding Arab-Israeli conflict.

Mansour is on a one-day visit to Greece, upon Greece's request, to discuss bilateral relations.

The trip is Mansour's first visit to the European Union since his appointment as interim president last July.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Fahmy and Minister of Tourism Hisham Zazzou accompanied Mansour on his visit.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton welcomed on Monday Egypt's constitutional referendum, saying she expects the document to set the scene for civilian rule.

Egyptians overwhelmingly voted in favour of replacing the 2012 Islamist-drafted charter with a new constitution in a national referendum last week, which the government hailed as a public seal of approval for the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last summer.

Seeking financial support for Egypt, Mansour paid official visits to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, among other Arab countries soon after Morsi’s ouster from power.