Brussels – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed on Thursday Egypt’s interest to develop and deepen the traditional partnership with the European Union as it is one of the most important axes of the Egypt’s policy, taking into account the fact that the two sides exist in the Mediterranean region. He asserted that, historically, this geographical status had a significant impact in extending bridges of cultural, trade and political communication between Egypt and the European continent.
The President’s remarks came as he met on Thursday with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of his visit to the Belgian capital of Brussels.
The meeting, the President reviewed the developments in various aspects of relations between the two sides, especially in the fields of new and renewable energy, infrastructure and green transformation, in light of Egypt’s hosting of the COP27 Summit this year, in addition to cooperation in combating the phenomenon of illegal immigration, extremist ideology and terrorism.
President Sisi also discussed the most important and prominent political issues of common interest in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa.
For her part, President of the European Commission Leyen emphasised that Egypt plays a “key and pivotal” role that achieves balance regarding all regional issues, noting that the European Union places “huge” interest on such a role.
She also expressed her keenness to maintain regular communication with President Sisi in light of Egypt being an important strategic partner of the European Union. She stressed the EU’s desire to continue to advance co-operation with Egypt at various levels in view of the fact that Egypt represents from the centre of gravity for the region.
