President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt is seeking to elevate its relations with South Africa to the level of a strategic partnership, with a focus on expanding economic co-operation, trade and investment.
The President made the remarks during a meeting on Saturday with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
The talks focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Egypt and South Africa. President El-Sisi welcomed the continued progress in ties and expressed his aspiration to take them to a higher level, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
The President also highlighted the importance of upgrading the joint committee between the two countries to a higher-level committee. This would provide a broader framework for developing economic relations and boosting trade and investment, in line with the capabilities of both countries and their leading roles in Africa and on the international stage.
President El-Sisi also stressed Egypt’s interest in expanding co-operation with South Africa on continental connectivity projects and developing more efficient trade corridors linking northern and southern Africa.
Such projects, he said, would support economic integration among African countries and serve the interests of their peoples.
President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for President El-Sisi’s commitment to consultation and co-ordination with South Africa. He reaffirmed his country’s interest in deepening co-operation with Egypt across various fields and building on their longstanding historical ties and shared frameworks.
These include the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and their membership of BRICS.
Ramaphosa also welcomed President El-Sisi’s emphasis on prioritising connectivity projects and trade corridors between northern and southern Africa.
The two presidents stressed the need to intensify efforts to promote security and stability and resolve conflicts through peaceful means. They also underlined the special responsibility of Egypt and South Africa to strengthen joint African action and co-ordinate African positions in international forums.
The talks also covered ongoing crises across Africa. President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting the stability and sovereignty of all African countries, particularly Sudan.
He stressed that Sudan’s security, sovereignty, stability and unity constitute a red line that Egypt will not allow to be crossed.
President Ramaphosa, for his part, reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to continued co-ordination and consultation with Egypt, praising Cairo’s active role at both the African and international levels.
The two leaders also discussed developments in the Middle East. They reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause remains the central issue and that the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions is the key to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
On water issues, the two sides stressed the need to respect international law and ensure the rights of states in a manner that preserves regional security and stability.
