Egypt, Cyprus and Greece Say Nile Water Is an Existential Issue for Cairo

H-Tayea Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have reaffirmed the importance of international law in managing transboundary rivers, with Cairo describing Nile water as an existential issue and a matter of national security. The three leaders met in New Alamein for a summit of the regular trilateral cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, where they discussed regional security, economic cooperation, migration, energy and developments in the Middle East. Presidential spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said El-Sisi welcomed the Cypriot and Greek leaders and praised the longstanding relations linking the three countries. He said the trilateral mechanism has developed into an important platform for cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the three governments seeking to combine economic development with regional stability. Christodoulides and Mitsotakis also welcomed the launch of the Alamein International Airshow and Aerospace Exhibition 2026 and reiterated their commitment to expanding trilateral cooperation. The summit covered trade and investment, energy, tourism, education and culture, as well as migration, labor cooperation and opportunities for skilled Egyptian workers in Cyprus and Greece. The leaders also discussed security cooperation in response to shared challenges, including irregular migration and organized crime. Regional developments featured prominently in the talks. El-Sisi outlined Egypt's efforts to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Middle East, warning that continued escalation carries consequences for international trade and energy security. The Cypriot and Greek leaders expressed appreciation for Egypt's regional role, and the three sides agreed to maintain close political consultations and coordination. On the Palestinian issue, El-Sisi stressed the importance of maintaining the agreement ending the war in Gaza and ensuring the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian assistance. He reiterated Egypt's position that lasting peace depends on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The summit also addressed Nile water security, with El-Sisi describing the issue as existential for Egypt and directly connected to national security. Egypt expressed appreciation for what it described as the supportive positions of Greece and Cyprus on the issue. The three sides agreed on the importance of full compliance with the principles of international law governing international transboundary rivers, including the Nile. According to the Egyptian presidency, those principles include the obligation not to cause significant harm, prior notification and rejection of unilateral actions affecting shared water resources. The leaders also discussed relations between Egypt and the European Union, noting the expansion of cooperation since the signing of the Egypt-EU Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in 2024. The summit reflected the increasingly broad scope of the Egypt-Cyprus-Greece partnership, which now covers security, energy, investment, migration, labor mobility and political coordination alongside longstanding cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid Sports Roberto Carlos Marries Moroccan-Lebanese Sports Agent Souheila Tahiri Arts & Culture Haifa Wehbe Announces Massive 2026-27 World Tour Business World Gold Council: Current Price Decline Is a Temporary Correction, Not the Start of a Long-Term Bear Market News AUC Researchers Explore the Ethics, Trust and Future of Self-Driving Cars News GUC & GIU Open Research Centre in Germany with 4 Leading Universities News Aboul Gheit meets with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum Opinion & Analysis From Oblivion to Global Recognition: Will the City of Fuwwah Join the World Heritage List? Business Egyptian Energy Companies Secure $6 Billion Deal in Oman News Nick Oberheiden, US Ambassador to Egypt News Trump Nominates Nick Oberheiden as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt