Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis’ statements following the Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt (Cairo, 18.01.2026)

G. GERAPETRITIS: I'm very pleased to be in Cairo today for the trilateral meeting with my dear colleagues from Egypt and Cyprus. I would like to thank my dear friend, Badr Abdelatty, for his invitation and his warm hospitality.

I would also like to wish our brotherly Nation of Cyprus a successful EU Council Presidency.

Since our inaugural summit in Cairo in 2014, our trilateral cooperation has demonstrated strength and endurance. I can confidently say that it has become a model for similar collaborative initiatives in our region.

This cooperation is deeply rooted in the history of our neighboring countries, actively influences the present, and holds significant promise for the future. A crucial factor in the success of this trilateral cooperation is the shared understanding of regional and international relations among the three countries.

We have declared many times and confirmed once again today, our adherence to International Law included the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the principle enshrined in the UN Charter, and the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

We value diplomacy, not war, nurturing a region of stability rather than chaos. We believe in cooperation and understanding, steering clear of hatred and division.

We envision the Mediterranean, not as a region doomed to conflict, but a region of peaceful coexistence of all its peoples and the next generations.

My colleagues and I had the opportunity to discuss and exchange views on major regional and international issues. The discussion focused on developments in our broader neighborhood, that is the Middle East, focusing on Gaza and the West Bank, as well as Syria, Yemen, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, Iran, and Libya.

We reviewed all recent developments concerning the Palestinian issue and the situation in Gaza. We welcome the launch of Phase 2 of the United States 20-Point Plan to end the Gaza conflict, endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2803, for which Greece voted in favor.

We also commend Egypt's effort to bring peace to the Middle East.

Palestinian ownership is critical to all aspects of the next day in Gaza. A reformed and empowered Palestinian Authority can be a credible Partner for Peace.

Greece, as a close partner to the Palestinian Authority and an honest interlocutor, has an active role and will seek presence on the next day in Gaza.

Greece remains firmly in favor of the resumption of the political process aimed at achieving a two-state solution based on UN Resolutions as the only answer to the long-standing demand of the Palestinians for an independent state.

As regards Syria, we believe that the country is pivotal to the balance in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arab world, and we must favor its reintegration into the region.

We must insist on the self-evident demand for an inclusive political transition which will ensure the representation of all ethnic and religious communities in the country without any exclusion.

With my esteemed colleagues, we also discuss the current situation in Iran.

As we stated in the UN Security Council, we reiterate our belief in the need for de-escalation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of the current crisis.

Fundamental rights, including the inherent rights to life, the freedom of expression, and the freedom of assembly are universal rights and must be fully respected by all without discrimination or exceptions.

No sentences must be carried out against those who have been demonstrating in favour of freedom.

We also provided a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Africa, including Libya, Somalia and Sudan, with particular focus on maritime security and irregular migration.

Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus place particular emphasis on the full implementation of International Law of the Sea and on safeguarding freedom of navigation, especially in the Red Sea, which is a key link in international trade routes.

Security of sea routes and trade is also a priority for Greece as an elected member of the UN Security Council.

I also want to stress my deep concern about the situation in Sudan and in certain areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a vast humanitarian crisis, and we're still inadequately intervening in the field.

Our meeting today provided us also with an opportunity to evaluate the achievements of our trilateral cooperation to date, and to explore ways to further deepen and expand this cooperation in other areas of common interest.

We agreed that there is a significant room to strengthen and expand this cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, tourism, culture, energy, innovation, and new technologies. In addition, culture and education always offer a huge potential of cooperation and of people-to-people diplomacy.

Greece, Egypt and Cyprus are more than ever determined to build on the rich history of their relations and the common values they share, offering an example of what trustworthy communication and cooperation can achieve in a volatile international environment.

Dear Badr, once again, I thank you very much for the generous hospitality in your beautiful country and look forward to meeting again in the near future.

Thank you.

JOURNALIST: I would like to ask the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr. Gerapertitis, if Greece has been invited to the Gaza Peace Council?

G. GERAPETRITIS: Indeed, I confirm that Greece has received an invitation by President Trump to become a founding member of the Charter of the Board of Peace. We're reviewing all the documents very closely.

As you know, the establishment of the Board of Peace is pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2803, for which Greece, as an elected member, voted in favor. Greece is steadily in favor of all initiatives to promote peace, security and stability, and in this context, we're going to coordinate with our EU partners, but also with other key friends and allies, like Egypt.

Thank you.

January 18, 2026