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Sisi Stresses Egypt’s Interest in Developing Partnership with Europe

President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
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Sisi Stresses Egypt’s Interest in Developing Partnership with Europe

President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks on Thursday with President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, on the sidelines of his visit to Brussels.

Sisi headed to Brussels to participate in the sixth European Union-African Union Summit, held on Feb. 17 and 18, under the theme "Africa and Europe: Two Continents with a Shared Vision until 2030."

He underscored the importance of developing and deepening the traditional partnership between Cairo and the European Union.

Egypt and the EU share the Mediterranean region, which had a major impact in extending bridges of civilizational, cultural, commercial and political communication between Egypt and the European continent throughout the history, Sisi said.

Presidential spokesman Ambassador Bassam Rady said Von der Leyen welcomed Sisi’s visit to the EU headquarters.

She stressed keenness to communicate regularly with the Egyptian president, describing Egypt as an EU key strategic partner.

She said the EU looks forward to bolstering cooperation with Cairo at various levels, in light of in light of its regional and international political influence.

According to Rady, the meeting focused on following up on the developments of bilateral ties, especially in the fields of new and renewable energy, infrastructure and green transformation.

Both sides agreed to cooperate in the fight against illegal migration, extremist ideology and terrorism.

Rady said they discussed the most important political issues of common interest in the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa regions.

Von der Leyen underlined the great importance the EU attaches to Egypt’s pivotal role in achieving balance in all regional issues.

Sisi also held extended summit talks with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Brussels, in the presence of the delegations of the two countries.

Rady said the meeting touched on various issues of common interests, especially the development and management of ports and logistics, as well as clean and renewable energy and the green transformation.

De Croo lauded Egypt’s remarkable efforts, led by Sisi, in combating extremist ideology and consolidating the principles of freedom of belief, tolerance and acceptance of others, as well as efforts to empower women and launch the National Human Rights Strategy.

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Arab World

MSF Suspends Operations at Key Hospital in Sudan's Capital

FILE - South Sudanese people sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, on May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)
FILE - South Sudanese people sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, on May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)
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MSF Suspends Operations at Key Hospital in Sudan's Capital

FILE - South Sudanese people sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, on May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)
FILE - South Sudanese people sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, on May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)

Medical aid agency MSF said on Friday it has been forced to suspend its activities at one of the few remaining hospitals in southern Khartoum due to repeated attacks, cutting off yet another lifeline for those who remain in the Sudanese capital.
War has been raging in Sudan since April 2023, sparked by a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, triggering the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis.
The hospital, which lies in territory controlled by the RSF, helped treat the victims of frequent airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces, as well as hundreds of malnourished women and children in an area where two neighborhoods have been judged at risk of famine, reported Reuters.
"In the 20 months MSF teams have worked alongside hospital staff and volunteers, Bashair Hospital has experienced repeated incidents of armed fighters entering the hospital with weapons and threatening medical staff, often demanding fighters be treated before other patients," MSF said in a statement.
"Despite extensive engagements with all stakeholders, these attacks have continued in recent months. MSF has now taken the very difficult decision to suspend all medical activities in the hospital."
The fighting in Sudan has cut off up to 80% of hospitals in conflict areas, where millions who cannot afford to escape the violence remain. Civilians face frequent air and artillery fire and hunger as supplies are blocked by both warring parties and prices skyrocket.
Medical facilities, including MSF-supported ones that have suspended operations, have frequently come under attack by RSF soldiers demanding treatment or looting supplies. Bashair Hospital has served more than 25,000 people, MSF said, including 9,000 hurt by blasts, gunshot wounds, and other violence.
"Sometimes dozens of people arrived at the hospital at the same time after shelling or airstrikes on residential areas and markets," MSF said in the statement, citing an incident on Sunday where an airstrike one kilometer away drove 50 people to the emergency room, 12 of them already dead.