The Egyptian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawy, met with the Cypriot Ambassador to Egypt, Polly Ioannou, to discuss accelerating joint projects in natural gas and expanding cooperation in mineral extraction.
The Egyptian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawy, met with the Cypriot Ambassador to Egypt, Polly Ioannou, to discuss accelerating joint projects in natural gas and expanding cooperation in mineral extraction.
Badawy noted that Egypt and Cyprus have made stable progress in developing Cypriot gas fields and connecting them to Egypt's gas infrastructure through partnerships with major international energy companies. He emphasized that these projects will strengthen Egypt's position as a regional energy hub, support the region's energy security, and increase gas exports to European markets.
Furthermore, the minister reviewed recent reforms aimed at improving the investment climate in Egypt's mining sector, noting that they have attracted new international interest. Badawy added that cooperation with Cypriot companies is expected to grow as investment opportunities expand.
The parties also discussed the return of FMC, a Cyprus-based company, to resume gold and mineral exploration in Egypt's Eastern Desert. Polly Ioannou reported that this company plans to expand its activities. She also mentioned that another Cypriot company is studying investment opportunities in Egypt's maritime supply sector. At the end of the meeting, Badawy thanked Ioannou for her efforts to strengthen relations between Egypt and Cyprus before the conclusion of her diplomatic mission.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced his intention to organize new international negotiations dedicated to the problem of divided Cyprus.
The conflict in Cyprus has many aspects, affecting the Greek and Turkish sides of the island, as well as the countries supporting each side—Greece and Turkey. Furthermore, two British military bases are located on the island: Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Guterres stated that he has secured the agreement of both sides and guarantors for a meeting in the '5+1' format, but emphasized the need for proper preparation before the start of the negotiations. He did not specify a date for these meetings.
This issue has long been an obstacle to Turkey's membership in the EU. Turkey insists that the only way to resolve the problem is through a two-state solution, while the European Union firmly rejects any steps that could legitimize the division of the northern and southern parts of the island.
Previous attempts to achieve peace, particularly the Annan Plan for Cyprus in 2004, have not led to a substantial resolution of the dispute. The people of Cyprus eagerly await whether this round of negotiations will yield results capable of ending the conflict, which has lasted for half a century.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, Egypt hosted a series of meetings in Cairo. Participants included Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriates Badr Abdelaty, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalem Abdi Ali, and Massad Bullock, Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs.
These negotiations were part of Egypt's efforts to support stability, peace, and security in the Horn of Africa region. Furthermore, they contributed to broader initiatives aimed at strengthening regional calm.
