Egypt to join Cyprus independence parade for first time

Politics EgyptGreeceturkey Egypt to join Cyprus independence parade for first time Egypt To Join Cyprus Independence Parade For First Time Relevant News Egypt to join Cyprus independence parade for first time 9 September 2026 On this day: Queen Elizabeth becomes the longest reigning monarch of the UK in 2015 9 September 2026 British airport chaos disrupts flights to and from Cyprus (photos+videos) 9 September 2026 Andreas Bimbishis 9 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Egypt will send a military contingent to take part in Cyprus’s October 1 independence day military parade for the first time, almost 49 years after Cyprus-Egypt relations hit their lowest point following a failed Egyptian commando raid on Larnaca airport in February 1978. The announcement follows an informal trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Egypt and Greece in El Alamein, which produced a series of statements on the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met against the backdrop of the Mecca agreement and the warming of relations between Egypt and Turkey. Trust and cooperation Government sources who spoke to Phileleftheros about Tuesday’s talks in El Alamein said Egypt’s participation in the parade, with a platoon of its armed forces, carries particular significance as a first-time move. They described it as a strongly symbolic gesture, reflecting the level of trust and the close defence and security cooperation between the two countries, and said it was seen on the Cypriot side as sending a clear message at a time of intense geopolitical developments. Although Cyprus and Egypt have held joint military exercises in recent years, they said, a military presence at the independence day celebrations carries a symbolism of its own. While the two presidents were visiting the El Alamein air show on Tuesday, the Turkish side left their pavilion as Christodoulides and Sisi passed in front of it. Messages sent through the declaration The wider Eastern Mediterranean was addressed throughout the joint declaration issued after the trilateral summit, in which Christodoulides, Sisi and Mitsotakis said the three countries continue to move in step on major regional issues, underlining the importance of continuous consultation and coordination between them, a position that also signalled that the warming of Egypt-Turkey ties and the Mecca agreement have not affected their trilateral cooperation. The declaration’s reference to the Cyprus problem was seen as particularly significant, stressing that resolving it would contribute to peace and stability in the region. Goal: a comprehensive settlement On the Cyprus problem specifically, the El Alamein declaration said the three leaders welcome “the efforts of the [UN] Secretary-General and his personal envoy for the Cyprus problem” and expressed support for “continuing efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, based on relevant Security Council resolutions.” It added that “achieving a definitive settlement of the Cyprus problem would significantly contribute to strengthening peace and stability in the region.” Message on the Eastern Mediterranean On the wider region, the declaration said: “Given the growing weight of the Eastern Mediterranean region, at a time of intense geopolitical challenges, we stress the importance of continuous consultation and coordination between our three countries. Building on the achievements of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism since its establishment in Cairo in November 2014, which has been a successful model for regional cooperation, we remain committed to its further development, based on the principles of trust, respect and cooperation.” The three leaders added that they “reaffirm our collective will to safeguard security and stability in the region, as well as to resolve differences and crises through political and diplomatic means,” rejecting any actions that would raise tensions or undermine regional stability, and underlining “the importance of respecting the national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states… and full compliance with the rules of International Law and the principles of the UN Charter.” Clear position on the Law of the Sea Christodoulides, Mitsotakis and Sisi also stressed “the importance of full respect for International Law and the commitment of all states to upholding its principles,” in a way that safeguards the rights of all states concerned and contributes to peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. They added that “any Agreements or Memoranda of Cooperation concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction should be agreed on the basis of International Law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).” The declaration also referenced three other regional issues — the Palestinian question, Lebanon and Libya. Highlighting the strategic significance The Cyprus-Greece-Egypt trilateral cooperation is a steady axis of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, said the Presidents of Cyprus and Egypt and the Greek Prime Minister, who took part in the Trilateral Summit in El Alamein. In his remarks, Christodoulides said a framework had been built that is “grounded in mutual trust, common goals and aspirations, and is being continuously strengthened,” now carrying “strategic depth” and cooperation based on “a positive approach”, resting on four pillars: “stability, connectivity, security and cooperation in the wider region.” Referring to the joint declaration, he said it “contains these shared pursuits of ours: the UN Charter, International Law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states remain our steady and inviolable compass,” adding that Cyprus supports and takes part in regional partnerships that “strengthen regional stability, operate with transparency, with a positive agenda, and respect the sovereign rights of all states.” Sisi, speaking through an interpreter, said the three countries share common principles and values, aimed at strengthening regional stability. He said the summit had covered, among other things, strengthening economic and trade ties and developing the electricity interconnection project, along with other areas of cooperation such as innovation, industry and infrastructure, while also underlining security and defence cooperation aimed at addressing regional challenges. He added that stability and security must rest on upholding international law and state sovereignty, noting that escalating regional developments had also been discussed. Mitsotakis, for his part, said the two presidents were true friends, and that the summit had covered all the major regional challenges at length. He said trilateral cooperation was a pillar of security that puts forward a positive agenda and is not directed against any other country. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News On this day: Queen Elizabeth becomes the longest reigning monarch of the UK in 2015 British airport chaos disrupts flights to and from Cyprus (photos+videos) Police accused of colluding with criminals; Fytiris vows clean-up Tourism boom threatens to erase occupied Akanthou, refugee warns Nicosia Municipality sues over nuisance at former Othello cinema Mavroyiannis weighs 2028 Cyprus presidential run, sources say President’s, officials’ data leak not linked to hacking, assessment finds Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.