Egypt, EU Agree on Advancing Coordination at All Levels

Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
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Egypt, EU Agree on Advancing Coordination at All Levels

Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)
Ursula von der Leyen expressed to Egyptian President Sisi Brussels’ interest in continuing to advance cooperation with Cairo. (Getty Images)

Egypt and the European Union agreed to advance friendly relations and maintain joint coordination in light of the existing multiple and strong ties between them.

On Monday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen praised the president’s vision to achieve comprehensive development across Egypt, the unremitting efforts to combat terrorism, and Egypt's successful experience in combating illegal immigration, the spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said.

“The call discussed ways to promote bilateral cooperation,” he added, stressing that Sisi confirmed his interest in strengthening cooperation and developing mutual dialogue between the two sides in light of their common interests and challenges.

For her part, the European Commission president underlined the EU’s desire to further boost cooperation with Cairo at various levels in light of Egypt’s leverage in the region.

The call also touched on a number of issues and developments in the region.

Von der Leyen confirmed the European interest that the ongoing coordination with Sisi is ensured on many important international and regional issues, including Egypt's hosting of the COP 27 climate summit this year.

The two sides agreed on the need to continue consultation, exchange views and intensify cooperation to reach political settlements for the various crises facing the region and maintaining peace and security in the Middle East, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

“This is necessary for both restoring stability in the region and securing a better future for its people,” the spokesman added.



US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
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US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)

American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group.

Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead.

He told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Bashar al-Assad. He added that US President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive.

Zakka said Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating.

Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip.

Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, though he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status.