Both sides reaffirmed their shared determination to advance parliamentary diplomacy and further strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece.
The two speakers underscored the importance of joint strategic cooperation as a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly amid the region’s rapidly evolving challenges.
Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, stressed the need to safeguard bilateral cooperation through a formal institutional framework.
He proposed the drafting of a comprehensive memorandum of cooperation between the two parliaments, encompassing all areas of discussion. Kaklamanis placed particular emphasis on the value of direct engagement between representatives of the two peoples, affirming his strong belief in parliamentary diplomacy.
“Sometimes, where governments do not agree, we—who are the voice of our peoples—can find solutions,” he said.
Kaklamanis also highlighted the importance of facilitating the employment of seasonal Egyptian workers in Greece, describing it as a mutually beneficial initiative he personally supports. He assured his Egyptian counterpart that he would raise the matter with the Greek minister responsible for migration.
On regional developments, Kaklamanis emphasized that serious actors seek to avoid conflict, noting that the stabilizing roles of Egypt and Greece—two nations defined by their commitment to security and peace—are therefore of heightened importance.
He further called for strengthening the Parliamentary Friendship Groups between the two countries to deepen institutional ties.
For his part, Speaker of Egypt’s House of Representatives, Hisham Badawi, reaffirmed Egypt’s strategic commitment to expanding cooperation with Greece, particularly in the energy sector. He highlighted electrical interconnection and natural gas as key pillars underpinning regional energy security.
Badawi also underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to address irregular migration, alongside advancing agreements facilitating Egyptian labour in the Greek market.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and energy development. In a spirit of mutual respect and longstanding friendship, the speakers exchanged ceremonial gifts before Kaklamanis was given a tour of the Egyptian Parliament.
The meeting was attended by the Greek Ambassador to Cairo, Nikolaos Papageorgiou.
Earlier, Kaklamanis paid an extensive visit to Egypt’s New Capital—a landmark national project embodying the country’s ambitious vision for the 21st century. During the visit, he received a comprehensive briefing on the strategic planning of the smart city, designed to ease congestion in Cairo while hosting key state institutions, including the parliament.
In remarks that strongly reflected his admiration for Egypt’s forward-looking development, Kaklamanis described the project in glowing terms:
“This New Capital will be the modern wonder of Egypt, just as the pyramids were the wonder of ancient Egypt.”
As part of the tour, he visited the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ—the largest church in the Middle East and North Africa—where he praised both its monumental scale and its symbolism as a testament to religious tolerance and national unity in Egypt.
The visit also included the City of Culture and Arts, a world-class cultural complex featuring cutting-edge facilities and a new opera house. Kaklamanis commended Egypt’s achievement in harmonizing its rich historical heritage with advanced technological innovation, noting that the New Capital stands as a global model for urban development and a powerful instrument of modern cultural diplomacy.
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