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Egypt pres. underlines respect for E. Mediterranean countries

 Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi during the summit
Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi during the summit
CAIRO, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi said Tuesday it is essential to respect the unity and sovereignty of Eastern Mediterranean countries, and not to meddle in their domestic affairs.
Al-Sisi made the remark in a speech during a tripartite summit between the heads of state of Egypt, Cyprus and Greece in Athens, Egypt's official news agency (MENA) reported.
The Egyptian president underscored that each country's sea security should be respected, given that it is part of regional security.
He added that his country sets "top priority" to the issue of water security and its River Nile water rights, based on the fact that it is a very critical issue that requires all possible efforts to be exerted in order to reach a binding agreement on the rules of filling and operating a controversial Ethiopian Nile dam.
On terrorism, Al-Sisi said: "The phenomenon of terrorism continues to be a present risk that denies the region's people their simplest human rights to security and decent life amid cross-border crises, including illegal immigration." He regarded the tripartite partnership of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus as a "bridge of understanding and harmony on both banks of the Mediterranean Sea and between Egypt and the European continent".
He added that over the last few years, the tripartite cooperation mechanism has led to agreements on joint ventures in the sectors of energy, tourism, transportation, agriculture and others.
Moreover, the Egyptian leader foresaw more promising prospects for promoting cooperation in several other vital sectors, chiefly tourism, environment and fight against climate change thanks to mutual willingness to optimally capitalize on the potential and natural resources of the three countries. (end) rg.mt