Christodoulides said strengthening EU engagement with Egypt would be a priority during Cyprus’s presidency, describing Cairo as a strategic partner for the bloc and a key pillar of stability in a volatile region.
“One of our main priorities during our presidency is to bring the European Union closer to the region, closer to Egypt,” he said, according to a Cypriot presidency readout.
The Cypriot president said energy cooperation would be central to bilateral ties, noting that he was scheduled to meet a senior executive from Italy’s ENI on Thursday. He stressed the importance of advancing the development of the Kronos gas field and called for close coordination to accelerate progress.
Christodoulides later described the meeting as “particularly constructive” in a post on X, reiterating that Cyprus would consistently push for deeper EU engagement with Egypt during its presidency.
“During our Presidency, Cyprus will consistently advocate and underscore the need for a continued and strengthened EU engagement with Egypt, a key partner for regional stability. I look forward to close coordination in advancing our shared priorities,” he wrote.
For his part, Badawi congratulated Cyprus on assuming the rotating EU presidency and described relations between Cairo and Nicosia as strategic. He said he expected Cyprus’s term to have a tangible impact at the European and regional levels.
Badawi is visiting Nicosia as President El-Sisi’s representative at the opening ceremony of Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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