Egypt and Benin have agreed to enhance military ties and expand co-operation in defence and security, with a focus on exchanging expertise in military and technical fields.
Minister of Defence Ashraf Salem Zaher met on Monday with Benin’s Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic in charge of National Defence, Gildas Agonkan, and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting Egypt.
The Beninese delegation was accorded an official reception at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Defence, where military bands played the national anthems of both countries.
The meeting addressed a number of issues of mutual interest and explored ways to strengthen military co-operation between the armed forces of the two countries.
Zaher highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between Egypt and Benin, stressing the Armed Forces’ commitment to expanding military co-operation with friendly African countries in a manner that contributes to promoting security and stability across the continent.
For his part, Agonkan expressed his country’s keenness to strengthen co-operation with Egypt in various defence and security fields.
He also praised Egypt’s leading role in supporting efforts to maintain peace and security across Africa.
The meeting was followed by the signing of a co-operation agreement aimed at facilitating the exchange of expertise in various military and technical fields.
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa and a number of senior military commanders from both countries attended the meeting and signing ceremony.
