President stresses need to reach legally binding deal on GERD

Várhelyilauds Egypt’s efforts to combat illegal migration

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the visiting European Union (EU) Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, OlivérVárhelyi, reviewed on Wednesday various aspects of relations between Cairo and Brussels, with all its political, economic and developmentdimensions, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction over the overall development of their institutional co-operation, and reiterated the importance of carrying on with coordination as well as boosting mutual dialogue to bolster friendly relations amid common interests and concerns, Spokesman Radi added.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and EU Ambassador in Cairo Christian Berger attended the meeting.

During the meeting, President Sisi asserted the deep-rooted relations between Egypt and the EU that focuses on mutual respect and cooperation especially that Europe is the main trade partner to Egypt, Radi said.

President Sisi voiced hopes for continuing the active contacts between the two sides over the coming period.

For his part, the EU commissioner highly appreciated the historical and unique ties binding Egypt and European Union. He stressed that EU is keen on developing and deepening partnership with Egypt, based on their being Mediterranean neighbours and Egypt’s political weight at the regional and the international levels, as a pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Middle East and Africa. He also noted that Egypt enjoys great regional and international roles under President Sisi, the presidency spokesman said.

Meanwhile, President Sisi and Várhelyi addressed developments of a host of regional and international issues, including the Ukrainian crises and its global repercussions, particularly on energy and food.

They also exchanged views on the Palestinian cause, and their effort to improve the living conditions and services in Gaza, within the framework of the Egyptian initiative for reconstruction in the strip.

In addition, they agreed on the necessity of speeding up steps for holding elections in Libya.In this respect, President Sisi stressed the importance of ending the presence of armed militias and extremist groups in order to maintain stability and peace in the country.

In the meantime, the EU commissioner expressed the bloc’s appreciation of Egypt’s efforts in combating illegal migration since 2016, Spokesman Radi said.

Egypt hosts more than six million migrants of various nationalities, who are enjoying all basic rights here.

On the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), President Sisi underlined the prime importance of this existential issue for Egypt. He reiterated the unwavering stand on the need to conclude a legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam.