Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave a warm welcome to Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who has been paying an official visit to Cairo today.

The Egyptian leader described the military co-operation between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus as “an example of a good neighborhood for the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region, which is always based on international rules.”

According to the spokesperson of the Egyptian Presidency, Bassam Randy, the Egyptian leader revealed his desire to further strengthen military cooperation between Egypt and Greece, expressing his satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries, together with Cyprus.

The comments come as the largescale MEDUSA 2020 military exercises between Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, France and the United Arab Emirates just off the coast of Alexandria are ongoing.

The tripartite cooperation between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus is based on respect, good neighborliness and mutual interests of the three countries, in accordance with international rules for the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region, an Egyprian statement said.

For his part, the Greek Minister conveyed to the Egyptian President the greetings of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, emphasizing that his visit to Egypt reflects the strengthening of strategic relations between the two countries and their desire to work for security and stability in the region.

In this context, Greece wants to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the military and security sectors, the statement said.

According to the Egyptian Presidency, the meeting also discussed ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries, as well as reference the latest developments in regional and international issues, especially in ways to combat terrorism.

The Egyptian President expressed to Panagiotopoulos his gratitude to Greece for the hospitality reserved for him during his recent fruitful visit – as described by the Egyptian Presidency – to Athens last month.

He also emphasized the high level of relations that connect Egypt and Greece in various fields makes them a model of constructive cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

The meeting between Sisi and Panagiotopoulos took place in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Defense, Colonel General Mohamed Zaki, and the Greek Ambassador to Egypt, Nikos Garilidis.