President meets visiting European Commissioner for Mediterranean
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has lauded the current momentum in relations between Egypt and the European Union (EU), especially after they were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership as of March 2024.
President Sisi has also stressed the necessity to strengthen joint efforts to implement the key areas related to that partnership.
The president made the remarks during a meeting on Sunday with the visiting EU Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, Dubravka Šuica in the presence of Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati.
During the meeting, President Sisi emphasised that the establishment of the post of EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean in the new structure of the European Commission marks a positive step that would contribute to enhancing co-operation between the European Union and the Mediterranean countries, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
President Sisi also reviewed the significance of collaboration with the EU Commission on the migration file; the necessity to follow a comprehensive approach that links migration with development; fostering co-operation on regular migration and addressing the root causes of illegal migration, the spokesman said.
The EU Commissioner was keen on getting acquainted of the president’s perspective on developments in Gaza, including Egypt’s efforts to implement the ceasefire agreement, exchange hostages and detainees, deliver humanitarian aid to the Strip, and push for the swift start of the reconstruction process in Gaza without displacing the Palestinians, Spokesman Shennawy said.
For her part, Commissioner Šuica affirmed the European Union’s appreciation of these efforts. In this regard, the significance of the EU’s support for endeavours aimed at restoring calm, achieving stability and establishing a Palestinian state, as the only guarantee for lasting peace in the region, was stresed during the meeting.
The two sides also exchanged viewpoints on the developments in Libya, Sudan, and Syria, with a focus on the need to exert the necessary efforts to achieve stability in these countries and ensure the safety of their citizens, the presidency spokesman said.
The EU Commissioner affirmed the importance of relations between the EU and Egypt. She pointed out Egypt’s pivotal role in achieving security and stability in the region, and expressed the EU’s support for Egypt’s efforts in this regard.
Additionally, Commissioner Šuica asserted the importance of elevating trade and investment co-operation between Egypt and the EU to be commensurate with the political momentum characterising the relationship between both sides, Spokesman Shennawy said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdel-Aati has highlighted Egypt’s keenness to work with the Mediterranean Commission in the context of implementing the six pillars of the strategic and comprehensive partnership.
While conferring with Commissioner Suica following her meeting with President Sisi, the foreign minister underlined the priority the Egyptian government attaches to attracting European investments, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf said, adding that Dr Abdel-Aati briefed the EU official on the promising investment opportunities available in Egypt across various sectors.
