Syria and energy issues were the focus of Wednesday’s meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, sources said.

Christodoulides arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to attend the tenth trilateral Cyprus-Greece-Egypt summit and the second Cyprus-Egypt intergovernmental summit.

Sources told the Cyprus News Agency that the crisis in Syria was pushing countries of the region, such as Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, to send messages on a European and international level over the state of affairs in the country.

Christodoulides and El-Sisi also discussed making announcements in the first quarter of 2025 regarding the commercialisation of the Kronos gas deposit, which is under the administration of ENI, the sources added.

The two leaders also discussed Cyprus’ EU presidency in 2026 in light of the release of €4 billion in aid for migration, which Egypt is expecting from the EU.

So far, Egypt has received €1 billion from the EU.

Chriostodoulides on arrival in Egypt was met by Egyptian Education Minister Mohammed Abdel Latif and this was followed by a meeting with El-Sisi at the Presidential Palace.

The two countries’ delegations were meeting before the trilateral meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at 12:30pm.

Christodoulides is accompanied on his trip by government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou, national security advisor Tassos Tzionis, Cyprus’ ambassador to Egypt Polly Ioannou, the head of the diplomatic office Doros Venezis, and others.

The three leaders are expected to make statements to the media at 2.30pm.

Christodoulides will return to Cyprus after a dinner hosted by the Egyptian head of state.

Letymbiotis in statements on Tuesday said the heads of state are to sign memoranda of understanding on healthcare, ports development, information and communications technology and investment relations.
The second Cyprus-Egypt intergovernmental to precede the trilateral summit will be a forum to discuss the latest regional developments and joint investment projects in infrastructure, trade, technology, innovation and tourism, as well as energy cooperation.

Early notification of nuclear accidents and cooperation towards nuclear safety regulations and protection from radiation are also to be addressed.

During the intergovernmental summit memorandums of understanding will be signed on scientific research and education, women’s empowerment in the tourism sector and strengthening the voice of the women’s complaints office, water management, and aquaculture.

On the sidelines of the summits a private business forum will take place involving business interests from the three countries.