Shoukry and his Cypriot counterpart discussed the current situation in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Strip, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson, Ahmed Abu Zeid.

They also discussed the efforts to fully implement the UN Security Council Resolution 2720 to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza, stressing the importance of intensifying all efforts to reach an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and prevent the expansion of the conflict in the region.

Furthermore, both diplomats stressed the need to launch a political process to reach a permanent and just solution to the Palestinian cause through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 4 June 1967.

Last December, Israel announced that it gave Cyprus preliminary approval to establish a maritime humanitarian corridor to ship aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The proposal aims to deliver large quantities of badly needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza. These quantities will be collected, inspected, and stored on the east Mediterranean island before shipping them to Gaza, some 210 nautical miles away.

Since the start of its war on Gaza in early October, Israel has killed nearly 28,000 civilians, most of whom are women and children, wounded more than 67,000, and displaced over 1.5 million others.

On Thursday, Hamas announced that its delegation has arrived in Cairo to participate in a new round of truce talks held in Egypt and co-sponsored by Qatar.

Talks have been ongoing on a framework deal thrashed out during a meeting in the French capital, Paris, involving Egyptian, Qatari, Israeli, and US officials in late January.

The Cypriot top diplomat was also keen to listen to Shoukry’s assessments regarding political and security developments in Libya and Syria.

In addition, he praised Egypt's political and humanitarian efforts to resolve the various crises in the Middle East, highlighting that Egypt is a key pillar of security and stability in the region. 

Meanwhile, Shoukry expressed appreciation for Cyprus's support for Egypt within the European Union during the recent EU-Egypt Association Council, which saw European countries unanimously adopting positions that reflect a deep understanding of Egypt's priorities. 

Last January, the 10th EU-Egypt Association Council meeting was held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, co-chaired by Shoukry and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Egyptian-Cypriot Relations
 

Shoukry further discussed with the Cypriot foreign minister enhancing cooperation between the two countries in trade, investments, and tourism. He also stressed the strategic importance of cooperating in energy and the need to accelerate the implementation of joint projects in this field.

The discussions also included cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, maritime navigation, and importing seasonal Egyptian workers to Cyprus.

Shoukry also noted the importance of strengthening Cypriot investments in the Egyptian market and establishing strong partnerships between the private sector in both countries, pointing out that Egypt is a gateway for Cyprus to Arab and African markets.

Both sides also agreed on the importance of accelerating the organisation of the second meeting of the joint supreme committee between the two countries, finalising all contractual frameworks, and activating the agreements signed between the two sides.

Furthermore, the two sides discussed ways to enhance the tripartite cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, which has become an exemplary integrated regional cooperative framework to confront the escalating regional challenges in the Mediterranean region.

Meeting with Cypriot President
 

During his visit, Shoukry met with the Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, and conveyed the greetings of the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. He also expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the rapidly growing political and economic relations between the two countries.

In addition, Shoukry and the Cypriot President discussed boosting relations between the two countries in various fields. They also stressed the importance of continuous consultation between the two sides on many regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern.

According to Abu Zeid, the meeting reflected how the two countries shared a common vision about the interconnection of their interests, given their historical and geographical ties and distinguished political, economic, and cultural relations.

For his part, the Cypriot President emphasised his country's keenness to strengthen its established relations with Egypt and continue activating and advancing the various cooperation frameworks between the two countries.

He also stressed the importance of building on what was agreed upon during his multiple visits to Cairo over the past year and his fruitful meetings with the Egyptian President.