Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdel-Aati, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, discussed ways of boosting bilateral relations and enhancing co-operation across various sectors.
During the meeting that took place on Monday, on the sidelines of the Africa–France Summit, in Nairobi, Kenya., Abdel-Aati voiced Egypt’s appreciation for the solid ties between the two countries and the notable progress achieved in recent years.
He also expressed hopes to further expand co-operation, particularly in the economic and development fields.
The Egyptian chief diplomat highlighted the ongoing preparations for the Alamein Africa Forum, scheduled to be held in Alamein next June on the sidelines of the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit, the Foreign Ministry in Cairo said in a statement on Tuesday.
The talks also addressed the latest developments in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Abdel-Aati reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for regional and international mediation efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political settlement that would contribute to stability in the Great Lakes region.
Abdel-Aati stressed the importance of linking peace and stability efforts with sustainable development through a comprehensive approach addressing the political, economic, military and developmental dimensions of the conflict.
He also referred to Egypt’s support for post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts, particularly in light of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s leadership of the African Union’s post-conflict reconstruction and development file, as well as Egypt’s hosting of the African Union Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development.
On water security, Abdel-Aati underlined the importance of co-operation and integration among Nile Basin countries to achieve mutual benefit and shared interests. He stressed the need to uphold a spirit of consensus and brotherhood to restore inclusiveness within the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and reiterated Egypt’s rejection of unilateral measures.
He welcomed positive developments in the NBI consultative process aimed at restoring inclusiveness in accordance with international law and in a manner that serves the mutual interests of all Nile Basin countries.
