The Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos visited Cairo today, Tuesday, November 22, where he met with his Egyptian counterpart, General Mr. Mohammed Zaki (Mohamed Zaki) and signed the Agreement between the Hellenic Republic and the Arab Republic of Egypt, for Cooperation in the fields of Aeronautics and Maritime Search and Rescue.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Greece K. Nikolaou Dendias and EgyptK. Sameh Shukri (Sameh Shoukry). The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Head of GEETHA, General Constantine Oriole and his Egyptian counterpart, Mr. Osama Askar (Osama Askar).

In his speech, during the signing ceremony, the Minister, Mr. Panagiotopoulos, underlined that with the Agreement, which constitutes a new milestone in the strategic relationship between the two countriesthe limits of jurisdiction and areas of responsibility for Search and Rescue between Greece and Egypt are determined which are identified with the FIRs of Athens and Cairo respectively, with full application and absolute respect of International Law.

The Minister of National Defense highlighted the excellent level of bilateral defense cooperation and common will of the two countries for further expansion.

He also underlined the importance of strengthening it interoperability of the Armed Forces of the two countries and congratulated all participants in the “Exercise MEDUSA“, which takes place from 19-25/11/22, with great success.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos added that Greece and Egypt have a common goal of implementing a long-term strategic cooperation, according to the International Law and the principles of good neighborliness for the creation of an environment that favors and supports the development and well-being of their peoples, but also the security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

After the signing of the Agreement, a bilateral meeting was held between the Minister of National Defense and his counterpart, with the participation of the Chiefs of Defense Forces, during which activities and programs to enrich the defense cooperation of the two countries and the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean were discussed.

The following is the speech of the Minister of National Defense during the signing ceremony of the Agreement:

“Mr. Ministers,

It is a special honor and pleasure to be here today, in Cairo, first of all to meet, if only for a short time, the dear friend and an official whom I respect and esteem immensely the Minister, General Mohamed Zaki, and to sign together the Cooperation Agreement in the Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Sectors.

I would also like to express my joy because the, important, at this moment, is with us, here, and share our satisfaction for the new milestone in our bilateral relations, Greece and Egypt, the Foreign Ministers of our countries, our dear friend Minister Mr. Nikos Dendias and Minister Mr. Sameh Soukri, as well as, of course, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs – a good friend – Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, who, as the Minister said, will subsequently sign an agreement at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, but also the Chief of the Armed Forces, General Mr. Konstantinos Floros, a very strong government representation of Greece for a very strong strategic relationship.

Allow me, Honorable Ministers, to recognize her your contribution and leadership for the excellent level of relations between our two countries.

The Agreement we are signing today reflects it strategic relationship we have forged in recent yearsa relationship based on strong timeless bonds of friendship and mutual respect.

The Agreement defines the framework for cooperation and mutual assistance of the competent Search and Rescue Coordination Centers of the two states, cooperation of particular importance that requires efficiency, speed and a high sense of duty, with a view to its protection human life and prevention major disasters.

The Agreement defines the limits of jurisdiction and areas of responsibility for Search and Rescue between Greece and Egypt which are identified with the FIRs of Athens and Cairo respectively, with full application and absolute respect of International Law.

In contrast, the so-called “Memoranda of Cooperation” between Turkey and the Government of Tripoli, constitute attitudes illegal, infringing, void and destabilizing. They are clear challenges to sovereign states, they ignore the rules of International Law, the Law of the Sea and geography itself, while they are clear threat to regional stability and security.

Today, we will also have the opportunity with Minister Mr. Zaki to discuss the latest developments in our wider region, the progress of our bilateral cooperation and ways to enrich and deepen it even more.

We systematically seek to strengthen it interoperability and the full exploitation of the possibilities of all Branches of our Armed Forces, by conducting of many joint trainings and flagship interdisciplinary exercises, such as “Exercise MEDUSA“, which is taking place these days in front of Alexandria, with the participation of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and other countries with great success.

I would like to I congratulate you warmly all participants in <<MEDUSA>>, which reflects, in the best way, the excellent level and spirit of cooperation, but also the high training of the Armed Forces of our countries.

Greece and Egypt have a common vision for the creation of an environment that favors and supports the development and well-being of their peoples, as well as security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Our common goal is the realization of a long-term, coherent and substantive strategic cooperation, in accordance with International Law and the principles of good neighborliness with all the countries in the region.

For this reason we are quick to condemn any form of revisionism as well unilateral actions that violate sovereigntythe sovereign rights and the Territorial integrity.

We believe it is a fundamental obligation for all countries to respect International Law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

I am glad that today not only confirms but also strengthens the determination of our countries to advance their commitment to regional stability and cooperation and to face together challenges and threats in our region.

Mr. Minister,

Thank you for your warm hospitality.

I will be happy to welcome you in Athens!

Thank you very much!»