Cyprus and Egypt discussed strengthening their strategic partnership in defence and security during a meeting between Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The meeting took place on Tuesday during Palmas' visit to Egypt for a trilateral meeting of the defence ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.
Focus on strategic cooperation
According to Cyprus' Defence Ministry, Palmas and el-Sisi reviewed bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and security and discussed ways to further enhance ties between the two countries.
The ministry said Palmas reiterated the importance that the Republic of Cyprus attaches to its close relationship with Egypt, describing defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the countries' strategic partnership.
Part of wider regional engagement
The meeting formed part of a broader programme of contacts linked to the trilateral Cyprus-Greece-Egypt defence ministerial meeting, which focuses on regional security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The three countries’ foreign ministers will also hold a trilateral meeting this Friday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Cyprus and Egypt have expanded cooperation in recent years across a range of areas, including security, defence and regional stability, amid growing strategic ties between the two countries.
Three ministers sign joint declaration
Following the meeting of the three Defence Ministers, they signed a Joint Declaration.
“During the meeting, the excellent relations between the three countries and their shared will to further deepen cooperation to safeguard regional security were reaffirmed, based on respect for the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), other relevant agreements and the rules of international law,” said a Cyprus Defence Ministry press release.
It also noted that the three Ministers exchanged views on international and regional developments, security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the impact of ongoing crises on regional security and stability.
The importance of cooperation to de-escalate tensions and the need to end armed conflicts were also stressed, while the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue as a key means of peacefully resolving disputes, the press release added.
Particular emphasis was also placed on strengthening operational cooperation through joint exercises and training, as well as enhancing interoperability and the exchange of expertise. Ways of strengthening trilateral cooperation in the areas of maritime security, search and rescue, cyber defence and the protection of critical infrastructure were also discussed, it is noted.
According to the Defence Ministry, the three sides agreed to maintain the momentum of trilateral defence cooperation, with the aim of further strengthening security, resilience and stability in the wider region.
Ο Υπουργός Άμυνας @PalmasVasilis, πραγματοποίησε σήμερα συνάντηση με τον Πρόεδρο της Αραβικής Δημοκρατίας της Αιγύπτου Abdel Fattah Saeed HusseinKhalil El-Sisi @AlsisiOfficial. Κατά τη συνάντηση, ο κ. Υπουργός επανέλαβε την ιδιαίτερη σημασία που αποδίδει η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία στην περαιτέρω ενίσχυση των στενών σχέσεων με την Αίγυπτο, επισημαίνοντας το ουσιαστικό στρατηγικό περιεχόμενο που έχει αποκτήσει η διμερής συνεργασία των δύο χωρών στον τομέα της άμυνας και της ασφάλειας.
— Ministry of Defence 🇨🇾 (@DefenceCyprus) September 22, 2026
