Egypt, Finland to enhance economic, investment co-operation

President Abdel Ftatah El Sisi and the visiting President of Finland Alexander Stubb held in-depth and constructive discussions covering various aspects of bilateral co-operation. They also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.

“We agreed on the importance of building on the progress achieved in recent years and working to explore new opportunities and areas for partnership,” President Sisi told a press conference following the talks with his Finnish counterpart Stubb in Cairo on Tuesday.

The two leaders emphasised the need to enhance economic, trade and investment co-operation, encourage mutual investments, and support contacts between the business communities in both countries.

Following the official reception, the two leaders held a bilateral talk, that was followed by an expanded round of discussions attended by the delegations of both countries. President Sisi held a luncheon banquet in honour of the Finnish President and the accompanying delegation.

President Sisi appreciated that President Stubb high-level delegation included a number of Finnish business leaders and investors, which reflects a shared commitment to advancing economic and trade ties, amid the promising investment opportunities in Egypt and the unprecedented development of its infrastructure projects.

“I also discussed with President Stubb ways to enhance co-operation in a number of sectors, particularly those in which Finland has leading expertise, such as telecommunications and information technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, education, healthcare, advanced industries, wood industries, and mining,” President Sisi said.

Meanwhile, the Sisi-Stubb talks highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union, as well as the role Finland can play in supporting and developing this partnership.

The two leaders discussed regional and international issues, mainly in the Middle East, amid various developments whose repercussions have extended beyond the region.

They emphasised the need to maintain coordination among various partners to achieve security and stability at both regional and international levels, President Sisi said, noting that he stressed ‘Egypt’s firm rejection and condemnation of unjustified attacks against the Gulf states and all Arab countries.” He also reaffirmed full support for the security of fellow Arab nations as an integral part of Egypt’s national security.

The talks also addressed the Palestinian cause, as President Sisi stressed the importance of not allowing attention to be diverted from the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, amid the worsening suffering and ongoing violations faced by the Palestinian people.

“I underscored the need to intensify efforts to ensure adherence to the ceasefire and the implementation of all provisions of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza,” President Sisi said.

He also reviewed Egypt’s efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip, and emphasised the need to preserve the unity of Palestinian territory, rejecting any attempts to displace the Palestinian people or impose a reality that contradicts the two-state solution.

In addition, the two presidents discussed developments in Lebanon and Libya, as President Sisi outlined Egypt’s efforts to support reaching a ceasefire in Sudan and alleviate humanitarian suffering there, in coordination with regional and international partners.

He also reaffirmed the constants of Egypt’s position calling for preserving Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, and rejecting any attempts to divide the state or create parallel entities, as this constitutes a red line for Egypt’s national security.