Sisi to discuss GERD issue during meetings with EU leaders: FM

CAIRO – 16 February 2022: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue during his meetings with the European Union (EU) leaders, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Sisi arrived in Brussels on Tuesday to attend sixth European Union-African Union Summit, which is set to be held on 17-18 February with the participation of leaders and members states of the AU and EU.

GERD is a priority, Shoukry told ‘Ala Masoliety’ TV program, affirming that Egypt seeks to reach a legally binding agreement on the dam in a way that achieves the goals of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Egypt is keen to enhance its relations with the EU in the political and economic fields, the foreign minister said, adding that Egypt has diversified relations with many of the European countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and other countries.

The EU supports Egypt’s developmental and economic reform efforts, Shoukry said.

Egypt works on reaching peaceful solutions to the crises and issues in the world, Shoukry said, adding that the Egyptian state supports peaceful solutions to all disputes and seeks to achieve peace and security worldwide.

The coronavirus crisis the world has been suffering from over the past years confirm the importance of global cooperation, Shoukry said, adding that this encourages work to resolve disputes by peaceful means away from conflicts that affect development efforts.

What Sisi will discuss in Brussels

Spokesperson of the Egyptian Presidency Bassam Rady revealed to press Tuesday the topics President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi will focus on in his speech Thursday during the 6th European Union-African Union Summit in Brussels.

The president will urge the reinvigoration of international efforts targeting to facilitate the integration of African states into the world economy, and aid them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs 2030).

The Egyptian chief of state will, subsequently, underscore the salience of transferring technology to developing countries, channeling foreign investment to them, and helping them expand their reliance on renewable energy. 

Equally, the president will stress the necessity to crystallize a joint vision on backing and funding Africa during the pandemic. That is in addition to facilitating the proliferation and fair distribution of technicalities pertinent to the epidemic, especially those related to the production of vaccines.

President Sisi will present some of Egypt's preparations to host COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November. In that context, he will highlight the efforts deployed by Egypt so that the outcomes come out balanced and applicable.

The president will hold consultation with each of King Philippe Leopold of Belgium, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on strengthening bilateral ties as well as coordination over international and regional matters of mutual interest. Further, he will meet a number of Belgian businesspeople to promote investment in Egypt.

The Egyptian head of state will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the summit to confer over joint relations.