CAIRO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus met in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss strengthening military cooperation, according to a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces.
Egypt's Minister of Defense and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher stressed the importance of continued coordination to serve the three countries' mutual interests and contribute to security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias underlined the significance of the meeting in shaping a better future for the three countries' armed forces and supporting joint military cooperation within the framework of respect for international conventions and laws.
Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas said the meeting built on the trilateral summit of the three countries' leaders held in Egypt's coastal city of Alamein earlier this month, stressing the need for joint coordination amid rapidly changing challenges in the region.
At the end of the sixth trilateral meeting, the three sides signed a joint statement aimed at strengthening defense and security collaboration, addressing common challenges and supporting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt, Greece and Cyprus maintain a trilateral cooperation mechanism covering political, economic and security fields, with regular summits and ministerial meetings. ■