EU keen to boost cooperation with Egypt at all levels: European Commission president tells Sisi

CAIRO – 31 January 2022: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen praised the firm and special relations between Egypt and the European Union, affirming that the EU is keen to continue boosting cooperation with Egypt at all levels.

Von der Leyen made her remarks in a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday, according to Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi.

She hailed Sisi’s vision to achieve sustainable development in Egypt and also lauded the country’s efforts to fight terrorism and the successful Egyptian experience in facing illegal immigration.

The phone call discussed a number of issues and developments of the situation in the region, Radi said.

Von der Leyen affirmed the European side’s keenness to coordinate with Sisi on a number of important regional and international issues as well as topics related to Egypt’s hosting of the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2022.

Sisi and Von der Leyen shared similar views regarding the necessity to continue consultation and intensify cooperation between the two sides on the direct bilateral level and at international events, Radi said.

This comes with the aim of working to reach political settlements to the different crises in the region, preserve security and peace in the Middle East, Africa, and East Mediterranean to restore stability in the region and secure a better future for people, they agreed.

During the phone call, Sisi and Von der Leyen discussed enhancing bilateral relations at the bilateral level, working on boosting the relations of friendship, and continuing joint consultation between Egypt and the EU in light of the several and strong ties between them.

In this regard, Sisi affirmed keenness to enhance cooperation and dialogue between Egypt and the EU in light of the joint interests and challenges, Radi added.