Anastasiades arrives in Cairo for “historic” summit (Updated)

President Nicos Anastasiades arrived in Cairo on Saturday for the first  Intergovernmental Summit between the two states taking pace in the Egyptian capital.

He was welcomed at the airport by Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

The president was then received by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, whom he thanked for hosting this “historic” meeting.

“Looking forward to our meeting in order to reaffirm the excellent relations and synergies our two countries have established and discuss new or expanded forms of cooperation,” Anastasiades said in a tweet right after arriving at the presidential palace.

After the meeting expanded talks with the presence of ministers from both countries will take place and a wide range of issues will be discussed.

Anastasiades is accompanied by the ministers of foreign affairs, defence, energy, education, the deputy minister of shipping as well as the government spokesman.

In another tweet after the president landed in Cairo, his office said the two countries would strengthen cooperation “which is now not only governed by mutual respect, trust and fraternal ties, but also by a strategic understanding of the benefits it brings at bilateral, regional and international levels.”

Energy, further strengthening the defence cooperation between the two countries and the reinforcement of business relations are among the most important issues  the two leaders are expected to discuss.

Anastasiades and Sisi will make statements to the press to be followed by a working lunch.