Macron invites Sisi to attend G7 summit in France

CAIRO - 10 March 2019: French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for the success of the European Union-Arab League summit. He praised the positive outcome of the summit and the in-depth discussions held.

Sisi received a phone call from France's president after the summit, which was the first of its kind, held in February in Red Sea's Sharm El-Sheikh, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

The French president invited President Sisi to attend the summit of the 45th Group of Seven (G7) Summit set to be hosted by France this year. The summit will be held in August, in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France.

The two presidents discussed bilateral cooperation between Egypt and France, particularly cultural ties, in light of the Egyptian-French cultural year, which has started this year.

The cultural year will witness many joint cultural and artistic activities between the two countries.

President Macron stressed his country's keenness to strengthen historical cooperation and friendship with Egypt in light of the latter's vital and pivotal role in establishing security and stability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

They also exchanged views on some of the regional issues of common concern, particularly the Libyan issue. In this regard, President Sisi stressed the need for a comprehensive political settlement in Libya supported by the United Nations.

The agreement in Libya, according to the two presidents, should be based on the implementation of the Libyan political agreement to preserve Libya's unity and territorial integrity. It also has to work to restore the role of the country's national institutions, including the national army, and to provide the conditions required for holding elections.

During the call, they exchanged views on the prospects of cooperation and joint coordination between the two countries at the African level, in light of Egypt's assumption of the presidency of the African Union for this year.

For his part, President Sisi stressed the importance that Egypt attaches to relations with France and the aspiration to continue joint work in all fields and to maximize coordination and consultation between Egypt and France on various regional and international issues of common concern.

The first European Union (EU)-Arab League (AL) summit started on February 24 in the presence of dozens of presidents, kings, prime ministers, ministers and high level officials from different countries from the Arab and European regions.

The summit focused on strengthening regional security and stability and enhancing cooperation and partnership among countries of the regions.