Sisi, Steinmeier discuss bilateral ties, regional issues
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed on the importance of concluding a ceasefire in Gaza, developing a mechanism to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip, in addition to securing the release of hostages.
Addressing a joint press conference with Steinmeier following their talks on Wednesday, President Sisi reiterated that Egypt has been seriously seeking a positive role with the Palestinians, mainly Hamas, in co-operation with Qatar and the US to achieve a ceasefire.
President Sisi received his German counterpart Steinmeier at Cairo’s Presidential Al-Ittihadiya Palace. The German president is on an official visit to Egypt, accompanied by a large delegation of leading German business executives.
The two presidents held an in-camerasession of talks, followed by an expanded meeting attended by the delegations of both countries, Presidency Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
President Sisi said in the press conference that the conflict has so far claimed the lives of more than 40,000 Palestinians since October 7, leaving approximately 100,000 others injured.
He called on Europe to exert broader efforts to encourage the relevant parties, or press them, to conclude an agreement to restore stability and alleviate Palestinians’ sufferings.
“What is going on in Gaza is a flagrant violation of human rights. All is just watching and doing nothing”, President Sisi told the conference. President Sisi warned against expansion of the conflict to the entire region.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) featured high on the agenda of the two leaders’ talks. President Sisi highlighted the negotiations with Ethiopia to reach a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operating the dam.
“For more than 10 years, we have been striving to reach an agreement in accordance with international standards and laws governing transboundary rivers,” he said.
Sisi referred to instability on Egypt’s southern, western and northwestern borders due to events in the Sudan, Libya, and Gaza, which have left broad repercussions that were obvious over the past 12 years.
Due to the crises in Syria, Libya, the Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen, Egypt has received more than 9 million displaced persons.
Since September 2016, Egypt has been keen to prevent the departure of any illegal migrants’ boats towards Europe, “from a humanitarian and moral perspective, to avoid exposing those people to danger at sea and to preserve the security and stability of our partners in Europe.”
He also said that Egypt has been exposed to colossal crises, with which it has nothing to do, such as Covid-19, the Russian-Ukrainian war and the situation in Gaza.
Egypt appreciates the partnership with Germany, President Sisi said, underlining the necessity to further advance relations between the two countries, and establishing a mechanism for strategic co-operation.
President Steinmeier voiced Germany’s appreciation for Egypt’s leadership and people, and stressed keenness on advancing relations and forging closer co-operation with Cairo in an array of domains, including development, investment, energy, migration and counter terrorism, Spokesman Fahmy added.
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