Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Monday stressed the importance of intensifying international action to avoid and contain the effects of the economic crisis on the global economy and developing countries in particular, in light of the repercussions that affected the food, energy and finance markets at the global level.
The president’s remarks came while conferring on Monday with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, Presidency spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and a number of senior officials of the European Commission were present at the meeting.
During the meeting, the president emphasised the importance of the European Union (EU), within the framework of Egypt’s foreign policy, both in terms of being Egypt’s largest trading partner, and in light of the deep and extended ties that unite the two sides and the common challenges they face on both banks of the Mediterranean, the spokesman said.
Discussions during the meeting covered various aspects of the institutional relationship between Egypt and EU, with emphasis on the mutual keenness on enhancing co-operation and dialogue to strengthen the relations of friendship between the two sides in light of common interests and challenges, especially with regard to combating illegal migration and terrorism.
In the course of reviewing the continuous coordination between Egypt and the EU on many international and regional issues, the developments of the crisis in the Sudan were considered, Spokesman Fahmy said.
The spokesman said that the senior European official paid tribute to the efforts made by Egypt in the two directions of hosting Sudanese refugees and achieving calm and ceasefire.
Regarding the Palestinian cause in light of the recent relevant developments, President Sisi agreed with the European official to intensify efforts in pursuit of peace and reaching a settlement of the Palestinian cause in accordance with international constants and references, in a way that restores to the Palestinian people their legitimate rights and supports security and development for all peoples of the region, Spokesman Fahmy said.
Mr Borrell praised the distinguished relations between Egypt and the European Union, highlighting the political weight that Egypt enjoys regionally and internationally, and its role as an axis of security and stability in the region that is going through a period of turmoil, which makes Egypt an important and valued strategic partner for the EU and its member states.
