PARIS- President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Friday affirmed the important status enjoyed by the European Union within Egypt’s foreign policy, which is based on mutual respect and appreciation not only because the EU is Egypt’s first trading partner but also in light of ties that unite the two sides and the common challenges they face on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Meeting President of the European Council Charles Michel in Paris, Sisi reviewed various political, economic and development aspects of Egypt-EU relations, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.
Sisi and Michel expressed satisfaction over the overall developments in institutional cooperation between the two sides, stressing the importance of continuing dialogue to boost their friendly ties in light of common interests and challenges.
Michel hailed distinguished relations that bring the European Union together with Egypt, stressing the EU’s keenness on strengthening these relations in all their aspects, in light of the political weight that Egypt enjoys internationally and regionally; being a link between the Arab and European worlds and an oasis of security and stability in the region that is currently passing a critical phase of severe turmoil and political tension.
The meeting also tackled the need to boost coordination on many important regional issues in international forums, including the peace process in the Middle East, and the situations in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
Michel commended Egypt’s efforts in combating illegal immigration, which have managed to put an end to the crisis in Egypt since 2016.
Egypt is a successful model in the region in this regard under the decisive and wise leadership of President Sisi, he added.
