Austria supports Sisi’s efforts to stabilizeEgypt: FM Kneissl

CAIRO – 20 December 2018: Austria supports President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi's efforts to stabilize Egypt and the other MENA countries,Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl told Egypt Today on Wednesday.

Kneissl added that she met with Sisi during his fourday visit to Austria to attend the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe. “I believe the Egyptian-Austrian relations are going to witness a huge leap during the coming period on several levels,”Kneissl said.

She added that President Sisi discussed several issues of mutual concern with a number of Austrian officials during his visit, including terrorism, illegal immigration and finding political solutions to the Middle East conflicts.

“Sisi’s discussions with President Alexander Van der Bellenand Chancellor Sebastian Kurz enhanced the relations between the two countries on all levels,” Kneisslstressed, describing Sisi's visit to Austria as “strategic and vital”.

Kneisslreferred to Egypt’s Foreign MinisterSamehShoukry's recent visit to Austria, saying that the visit had an important impact on boosting the two countries' relations, especially that he met with several Austrian officials and discussed important topics with them.

Kneissl affirmed that she would be very pleased to visit Egypt soon.

Sisi ended his four-day visit to Austria on Wednesday after fruitful meetings and a busy schedule. He met with senior Austrian officials. Austria assumed the chairmanship of the European Union and took part in Africa-Europe High-Level Forum.

Sisi held talks with Austrian Chancellor Kurz on boosting bilateral relations, especially in trade and economy, and encouraging major Austrian companies to increase their investments in Egypt.

He held talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest. Sisi and the Austrian chancellor attended the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements between Egypt and Austria following talks attended by both delegations.

The first memorandum for investment was signed by Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr and Austrian Minister of Finance HartwigLöger.

They also signed another memorandum on cooperation in the field of entrepreneurship and small investors and a third one on cooperation in promoting free zones.

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Austrian Minister of Education, Science and Research Heinz Fassmann signed a memorandum in the field of higher education and scientific research.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and the Austrian secretary general for innovation and technology signed a cooperation agreement in the technology and innovation field.

The two countries also signed a memorandum on cooperation in the railway and infrastructure domains.

Furthermore, Abdel Ghaffar and his Austrian counterpart signed a memorandum between Sinai University in the New Administrative Capital and the Austrian MODUL University and another cooperation agreement between the Medical University of Vienna and Nahda University in Beni Sueif.