Sisi, Johnson probe bilateral ties, Libya, preparation for COP27

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday received a phone call from UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during which they discussed the ongoing preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) slated for October 31- November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland.

President Sisi and Prime Minister Johnson agreed on the necessity of boosting bilateral coordination to secure positive outcome from the global event in a way that supports the international community action amid the current global energy crisis, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said, adding that the talks highlighted Egypt’s key role in climate-related issues and the country’s endeavours to host COP27 in 2022.

The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly fields of defence, security and countering terrorism, as well as promoting British tourism to Egypt, Ambassador Radi added.

President Sisi and the British premier reviewed the latest developments of a number of regional issues, with particular emphasis on Libya.They agreed on supporting the political path in the North African country, to be crowned with holding the elections by the end of the year. They also stressed the paramount importance of the withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries from the Libyan territories.

They also dwelt on the latest developments of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), with President Sisi reiterating the importance of concluding a balanced, fair and legally binding agreement on the filling and the operation of the dam in a way that preserves Egypt’s water rights, and the interests of all parties, as well as maintaining regional stability, Radi said.

This has to take into consideration the necessity of the international community’s continuing to play a serious role in the issue. In this respect, the two leaders underscored the importance of the existence of good intentions and the political will of all parties to the negotiation process, in line with the recent UN Security Council Presidential Statement.