Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi lauded the successful and constructive talks he held with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, saying they reflect the depth of Egyptian-Greek ties. Addressing a joint press conference with the Greek premier, President Sisi reiterated Egypt's firm commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Greece, describing it as an example to be followed in the region. He highlighted the historical ties between the two countries which are based on mutual respect, adding that both sides are interested in furthering bilateral cooperation in various domains.According to State Information Service Egypt, President El-Sisi expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality during his visit to Greece. He highlighted the key role played by Greece in expounding Egypt's standpoint to the European side, especially as Egypt went through a difficult period in 2011-2013 and afterwards. Regarding claims that the state would carry out negative plans regarding St. C atherine's Monastery, President Sisi stressed that this can never happen, not only for the place's sanctity but also for being against the strongly upheld respect for diversity and coexistence in Egypt.He expressed resentment over the controversy raised concerning St. Catherine's Monastery and accentuated that Egypt would never take any negative measure against the monastery in light of its revered status, highlighting that this is incompatible with Egypt's beliefs and policies. He recalled that when extremists burned 65 churches in Egypt, the state rebuilt them. Moreover, the state was keen to build places of worship for both Muslims and Christians in new residential areas. He underlined Egypt's commitment to maintaining St. Catherine's Monastery, inviting tourists to visit it.President El-Sisi expressed pleasure for signing the joint declaration with Mitsotakis on the strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece. The declaration is meant to further the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and heralds a new phase of close collaboration at all levels. He said the convocation of the first meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council between the two countries marks a key turning point in the Egyptian-Greek relations and reflects the joint political will to elevate the level of bilateral coordination and cooperation.He commended the tangible results of the council meeting, especially agreeing on expanding cooperation to include the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism, technology, entrepreneurship, alongside energy, security, and migration sectors. President Sisi asserted that Egypt prioritizes the electricity interconnection project with Greece (GREGY), describing it as not merely a bilateral project, but a strategy with regional and international dimensions, noting that the project represents the first direct link to transfer clean energy from Egypt to Europe via Greece.The president said he is looking forward to the continued European Union support for this ambitious proj ect and accelerating its implementation. He also expressed his interest in continuing cooperation with Greece in the field of natural gas and expediting the implementation of the agreement for the recruitment of Egyptian seasonal labor in Greece in other sectors beyond the agricultural sector. Moreover, he called for intensifying joint cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism and illegal migration, building on Egypt's successful experience in these areas.President El-Sisi stressed that discussions with the Greek side addressed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, most notably serious developments in the Middle East resulting from the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian catastrophe that has been ongoing for more than 18 months. President Sisi said Egypt continues to assert its firm stand on the necessity of resuming the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, releasing prisoners and captives, and ensuring the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid.He also reiterated rejection of the use of starvation and denial of medical services as weapons against civilians. President Sisi said, "The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been deteriorating for 18 months and the destruction of the Strip's infrastructure is of a massive scale, whether in the education, health, electricity, water, or sanitation sector. More than 300,000 buildings have been destroyed - sufficient to motivate the international community to take urgent action to achieve a ceasefire, allow the entry of aid and release the hostages."President Sisi reaffirmed his belief in the two-state solution being the only way to end the conflict, which has lasted for more than 70 years. He said Egypt rejects and condemns any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from their lands under any pretext, calling for a just settlement based on international legitimacy resolutions. President Sisi said, Palestinian rights are inalienable and will never be subject to a statute of limitations. Palestinian r ights cannot be marginalized or fragmented, he said.President Sisi added, "We are committed to international law, and there is a clear decision regarding the establishment of a Palestinian State within the June 4, 1967, borders. We must work to implement this decision and not allow the situation to further deteriorate." He noted that the discussions took up the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region, welcoming efforts to calm tension. President Sisi further voiced hope to capitalize on the positive atmosphere to resolve disputes between the Riparian States.Talks also covered the situations in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, and Sudan, in addition to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. President Sisi said Egypt and Greece see eye to eye on the importance of settling disputes through peaceful means, preserving the unity and sovereignty of states, and protecting the rights of their peoples. At the end of the press conference, President Sisi underscored Egypt's firm comm itment to promoting cooperation with Greece, voicing confidence that the Cooperation Council between the two countries would be an effective platform for consolidating strategic partnership, for the benefit of both the Egyptian and Greek peoples.