Egypt is exerting great efforts to support the Palestinian economy, achieve national reconciliation and end the division, asserted Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo, Shtayyeh said Egypt opened doors for cooperation in education, health, agriculture, and trade, saying they received all the possible support to help the national economy.
Shtayyeh added that Cairo has a lot to offer to the Palestinian people, noting that the government wants to benefit from the Egyptian experience, especially in trade, agriculture and investment.
He outlined the government's strategy of gradual disengagement from Israel, self-reliance through strengthening national products, and opening Arab markets to Palestinian products.
Shtayyeh who arrived at the head of a high-level ministerial delegation to Cairo is willing to discuss cooperation to strengthen economic relations as part of a Palestinian plan for the gradual disengagement from Israel.
For his part, the Egyptian PM said that meetings were held between the two sides to discuss many common issues at the political and economic levels, especially trade.
Madbouly affirmed that his government is ready to follow up on all issues raised by the Palestinian side and work to implement them as soon as possible, and will provide all forms of support to the Palestinian government.
“The suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip is unprecedented; 95 percent of the water is not drinkable, unemployment rate is 55 percent, poverty rate is 72 percent, and electricity is available for only 8 hours a day,” reported PM Shtayyeh.
Shtayyeh also held a meeting at the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo with members of the boards of Palestinian institutions working in Egypt as well as members of the Palestinian community.
He asserted that President Mahmoud Abbas is keenly achieving the national reconciliation, reiterating the importance of the President’s call for general elections, as a way to unify the Palestinian people.
Egypt plays an important role in Palestinian reconciliation and has a more important role in the situation in Gaza Strip. The two countries are in contact to tackle many economic, humanitarian and security issues in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister said the delegation has reached many agreements, adding that the government is keen to open new horizons with Egypt.
“We want our goods to enter Egypt and we want Egypt's goods to be present in our markets,” Shtayyeh was quoted by Wafa news agency.
Egypt is the third Arab country in Shtayyeh’s visit after Jordan and Iraq to discuss supporting the Palestinian economy.
