Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Saturday jointly chaired the Egyptian–Cypriot joint higher committee held in Cairo.

The high-level committee meeting being held for the first time on a presidential level, is expected to address various aspects of bilateral relations, especially in the fields of defense, military cooperation, security, energy, trade, investment, maritime transport, agriculture, education, environment and youth affairs.

According to the Egyptian presidency, the high-level meetings reflect both countries’ willingness to promote cooperation between them and extend it into more areas.

"Both parties will discuss the latest developments on a political level regionally and internationally and in the Eastern Mediterranean, in light of the challenges both countries are currently facing. These obstacles necessitate intensified coordination and consultation between Egypt and Cyprus across all levels in order to consolidate security, stability and peace," the Egyptian presidency said.

The meeting is the second engagement between the two countries this week. On Thursday, the Egyptian-Cypriot military training Ptolemy 2021 kicked off with the participation of Special Forces from both countries.