President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed - during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis - 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 going on 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 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 rights 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 commitment 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. (MENA)

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