Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi met in Cairo on Monday with European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica to discuss boosting cooperation between Europe and Egypt, presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi said.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and a number of other officials.
“The president welcomed the visit of the European Commissioner to Cairo, which reflects the depth of the distinguished relations between Egypt and European countries and the importance of enhancing cooperation and mutual dialogue in light of the common interests and challenges,” Radi said.
He added that Sisi expressed his country’s readiness, given its current presidency of the African Union, to cooperate with the Commission of the EU via initiatives that aim at serving the development goals of the African continent in line with Agenda 2063.
Underlining the need to benefit from Egyptian expertise and European funding mechanisms to attain these development goals, the president called for implementing more infrastructure projects in African countries to help promote investments and create job opportunities in the continent.
Mimica, for his part, expressed the EU’s appreciation for the strong and historic relations with Egypt, stressing Europe’s reliance on the country’s stability as a crucial element in achieving balance and maintaining peace and security in the southern Mediterranean region.
He also emphasized the EU’s keenness to promote cooperation with Cairo at various levels and to confront the challenges in the Mediterranean.
