Belgian envoy: Sisi’s visit to open new vistas for co-operation

‏The continent also faces the threat of climate change.
‏Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is in Belgian capital, Brussels, to attend the summit.
‏During his visit to the Belgian capital, President Sisi met King Louis Philippe of Belgium yesterday and is also expected to discuss joint co-operation with states participating in the summit.
‏In an exclusive interview with The Egyptian Gazette, Belgian Ambassador to Cairo François Cornet d’Elzius highlighted the agenda and the paramount importance of the Egyptian leader’s visit to his country.
‏Ambassador d’Elzius said Belgium has been eagerly waiting for President Sisi’s visit.
‏”This is the first visit by an Egyptian head of state to Belgium in a long time,” the Belgian diplomat said. “Good relations between friends need a bit of visits’ exchange and this is what is happening.”
‏The president will also meet a host of Belgian businessmen.
‏Ambassador d’Elzius said talks between the president and the Belgian officials he will meet will most likely focus on bilateral relations, Egypt’s ‘useful’ role in the fight against illegal immigration and regional political and security stability.
‏”We have plenty of views to share about the Middle East peace process where Egypt has been extremely useful,” Ambassador d’Elzius said.
‏He added that the Libyan file, where Egypt also plays a positive role, is also expected to feature highly in talks between the Egyptian leader and Belgian officials.
‏Belgium and Egypt, he said, have no political agendas, which is why they are friends.
‏”There are many things we can do,” the Belgian ambassador said.
‏He added that President Sisi’s visit to his country comes at a good time, while a number of files are badly in need of what he described as a ‘political push’.
‏He said it is the role of politicians and diplomats to build on the president’s visit to enhance relations between Cairo and Brussels.
‏”There is a lot of potential out there,” the ambassador said. “Such visits give support and I hope this is what will happen in the coming period.”
‏He referred to promising chances for co-operation between the two countries in the investment and cultural fields.
‏Egypt, Ambassador d’Elzius said, is a country where companies should come and invest.
‏By investing in Egypt, he added, these companies would be making money.
‏”There is a lot of money that can be earned in Egypt,” the ambassador said.
‏He described the Arab country as an ‘immense market’ that is very organised, one where state authorities invest heavily in infrastructure.
‏”The business environment and stability are very important,” he said.
‏Ambassador d’Elzius noted that Egyptian companies also stand a major chance of investing in Belgium, thanks to its strategic location.
‏Belgium is an ideal place, he said, for every company that seeks to develop business and reach consumers.
‏The first edition of the European Union – African Union Summit was held in Cairo in 2000.
‏The gathering recommended the establishment of a partnership mechanism between the two sides through the ‘Cairo Action Plan’, taking into consideration that Europe is a leading international partner, with which Africa is keen on consolidating ties, particularly in development, peace and security.
‏President Sisi’s address to the summit will focus on African issues, including the facilitation of integration into the global economy, Egyptian Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
‏He added that the Egyptian leader would also highlight the need for sustained support to African states so that they can achieve 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
‏The full interview with Ambassador d’Elzius will be published in the next edition of the Egyptian Mail, the weekly edition of The Egyptian Gazette.