Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Monday that newly discovered gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean can offer Europe alternative sources of energy that its searching for. Sisi said after talks with his Cypriot counterpart that Europe can take advantage of the proximity of both Egypt and Cyprus to the continent in that energy search. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said he hopes gas discoveries can act as a catalyst for cooperation that boosts regional stability and prosperity. Anastasiades said Cyprus will promote closer Egypt-European Union relations, adding that Egypt constitutes an "absolutely necessary strategic partner" for the 28-member bloc on issues including security, energy and migration. The Egyptian president also said he and Anastasiades agreed on ways of countering the regional extremism threat.