On 8 November President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi met with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace. Strengthening economic cooperation, combatting terrorism, European Union support of Egypt, the crises in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Palestine and Turkish-Cypiot relations were all discussed at the tripartite summit. Al-Sisi met with both Samaras and Anastasiades separately to discuss bilateral relations before the tripartite summit. The meetings were attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukri, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Mounir Fakhri Abdel-Nour and Minister of Petroleum Sherif Ismail. Anastasiades and Samaras told Al-Sisi their countries would act as ambassadors for Egypt to the EU, providing European countries with correct information about the situation in Egypt and the current government's efforts to improve it. Anastasiades and Al-Sisi discussed greater energy cooperation, particularly with regard to natural gas. Bilateral talks between Al-Sisi and Samaras focused on economic cooperation. Al-Sisi invited Samaras to the economic conference scheduled to be held on March 15. During the post-summit press conference Al-Sisi described the meeting as “a new phase of trilateral cooperation”. “We are determined to combat terrorism by intensifying cooperation in all areas, including security, in order to eliminate the terrorist group and expose its financial supporters,” said Al-Sisi. Anastasiades and Samaras praised Egypt's efforts to tackle terrorism. The Cypriot president underlined “Egypt's dire need for stability so as to be able to address regional challenges, especially terrorism”. Greece was among the first EU countries to recognise Egypt's post-30 June government following the removal of Mohamed Morsi. The three parties also discussed ways to increase the number of tourists visiting Egypt. Political analysts welcome what they say is a new direction in Egypt's approach to foreign affairs. Al-Sisi, they say, is seeking to redress the balance in its relations with western countries, especially the EU. “Egypt's new foreign policy entails an assessment of the rapidly changing global and regional environment within which Egypt operates,” says Hassan Nafaa, professor of political science at Cairo University. As Egypt moves away from US dominance and financial pressures, says Nafaa, Al-Sisi is exerting every effort to rebuild the moral authority lost under Hosni Mubarak and see Egypt assume its old position as a source of dynamic political thought in the Middle East region. Nafaa believes Egypt is prioritising improvement in its foreign relations with Mediterranean states. “This priority, which encompasses economic cooperation, will help create a network of mutual and collective interests,” says Nafaa. Gamal Zahran, professor of political science at Port Said University, agrees that Egypt is keen to reinforce its relations with EU states so as to recover international influence. “Collaboration with EU countries is part of the president's strategy to move from US dominance and protect Egypt's sovereignty,” says Zahran. Washington, says Zahran, needs to offer support to Al-Sisi and work closely with the Egyptian government instead of seeking to exert pressure. “The president is seeking to develop a joint strategy with Europe in which EU states and Egypt work together to strengthen development and economic growth and establish durable stability in Egypt.” Aliya Al-Mahdi, professor of political science at Cairo University, stresses another aspect of the tripartite summit — that it represents a slap in the face for Ankara. The maritime border around Cyprus is a major point of contention between Cyprus and Turkey. Greece is fully supporting the island state. Meanwhile, the Turkish president has repeatedly attacked the Egyptian regime since the ousting of Morsi. “The three countries agreed to intensify security collaboration to combat terrorism. Turkey, along with some other countries, is acting against the interests of stability and security in Egypt. Facing terrorism collectively is a clear riposte to Turkey and its regime,” says Al-Mahdi. Cairo, she continued, will support Cyprus against Ankara. Turkey and Cyprus have been at loggerheads since 1974 when Turkey invaded the island which was then partitioned. “Egypt is at last on the right track after the 25 January Revolution,” she says.
