CAIRO, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday hailed Egypt's cooperation with Cyprus and Greece as "a model to follow in the Mediterranean region."
Sisi's remarks came during his speech at the opening ceremony of the "Return to the Roots" initiative, held in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, with the participation of Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.
Sisi stressed that Alexandria represents an embodiment of coexistence, expressing his happiness for the city's hosting of the ceremony, which revives the roots of Greek and Cypriot communities in Egypt.
He greeted the attendees, underlining that Greeks and Cypriots had participated in creating a commercial, technical and cultural renaissance in the country.
The one-week cultural event, which will be held in Alexandria and the Red Sea city of Sharm al-Sheikh, gives an opportunity for Greeks and Cypriots who once lived in Alexandria to return to the coastal harbor city.
In late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Greeks and Cypriots migrated to Egypt, mainly Alexandria, to live and work in the most populous Arab country.
"Alexandria has been a witness of the deep ties binding together the peoples of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus throughout the ancient and modern history," Sisi said.
He noted that Alexander the Great laid the first pillars of the city of Alexandria in 332 B.C., to become the view of Egypt on the shores of the Mediterranean and the point of convergence of civilizations and incubator of cultures and heritage.
The tripartite cooperation mechanism among Egypt, Cyprus and Greece in recent years has been a clear reflection of the historical relations binding together the three countries and their peoples, Sisi said.
Egypt's ties with Greece and Cyprus have been strengthened since Sisi took office in 2014 as the leaders of the three countries have gathered for five tripartite summits in the past four years.
