Shoukry’s statements came during a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart in a press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Athens following their meeting earlier today.

The Egyptian foreign minister hailed the relations between the two countries as "strategic" and all discussions between them as "transparent".

“We discussed the situation in Libya, Syria as well as the Palestinian issue during our meeting,” Shoukry told reporters.

“Egypt is coordinating with Greece to find a resolution for the Palestinian issue as part of our efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” he stressed. 

"We seek to restore unity and stability to Libya," he added.

Shoukry also expressed appreciation for the Greek efforts to support Egypt inside the European Union.

"The relations between our two countries have developed in a major way over the past nine years," Shoukry stressed.

Shoukry's visit to Athens aims to strengthen bilateral relations and coordination between the two countries on issues of common concern, read a statement released by the spokesperson for the Egyptian foreign ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The foreign minister delivered a message from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis which addressed methods to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations, Abu Zeid wrote in a post on his official Twitter account.

El-Sisi stressed in his message to the Greek PM that Egypt is also keen on strengthening relations with Greece and Cyprus within the framework of the trilateral mechanism between the three neighbours, Abu Zeid added.

During the press conference today, Shoukry praised the ongoing cooperation between Egypt and Greece in the field of energy, including under the umbrella of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EastMed).

While in Athens, the Egyptian foreign minister is scheduled to meet with the CEO of the Copelouzos Group Dimitrios Copelouzos to follow up on the progress in the implementation of the $3.8 billion undersea electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Europe via Greece.

Eastern Mediterranean cooperation

FM Shoukry confirmed during the press conference that he would be visiting Turkey soon, as the two countries take progressive steps to repair relations that were ruptured over a decade ago.

On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu revealed in remarks to the media that he has invited the Egyptian foreign minister to visit Ankara to discuss next steps in normalising relations between the two countries.

"Egypt has sensed a desire from Turkey to normalise relations," the foreign minister said.

"My visit to Turkey will discuss the implementation of this normalisation while taking into account good neighbourliness in order to achieve peace and stability in the region," he added.

Meanwhile, Greek FM Dendias said during the press conference that Athens seeks to broaden cooperation with Ankara, including in the field of energy, after the completion of the upcoming national elections in both countries.

Turkey is scheduled to hold national elections on 14 May.

Meanwhile, Greece will hold its own national elections a week later.

"Greece always pursues opportunities to have a genuine and honest partnership with Turkey," stressed Dendias.

He added that Greece would be open to new members joining an association of nations in the eastern Mediterranean that would collaborate on natural gas development.

Currently, Greece and Egypt are members in the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EastMed), which includes include Cyprus, France, Israel, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.