CAIRO – 18 July 2022: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have agreed on the need for cooperation among international actors to find practical solutions and mechanisms that would mitigate the impacts of the Ukraine crisis on the most affected countries.
In a speech at a joint press conference with Scholz on Monday in the German capital, Berlin, Sisi said he discussed with the chancellor the hard global economic situation stemming from the crisis in Ukraine, especially in terms of food and energy security in the world and the unprecedented negative effects on these countries’ markets due to the crisis.
Scholz said Russia's war against Ukraine has caused heavy losses to the international community, affirming the need to act collectively on this.
Sisi said they also discussed a number of regional issues of mutual concern that have a direct impact on stability and security of the region.
“I assured Chancellor Scholz that Egypt, based on its historical role and responsibility in its region, is determined to continue its sincere efforts in coordination with brothers and partners to settle crises and address the causes of tension in the region,” the president said.
Sisi added that he agreed to continue coordination with Germany regarding the region's issues, foremost among which are the Palestinian issue and the situation in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
This is in addition to means to confront extremism, terrorism, and the phenomenon of illegal immigration, he added.
The German chancellor hailed Egypt’s pivotal role to consolidate the situation in Gaza as well as Libya.
Binding solution on GERD
El-Sisi said he also spoke with Scholz about the recent developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), stressing Egypt’s stance in this regard.
“Egypt would continue its quest to find a just solution, taking into account the requirements of its water security, that will not be compromised, by reaching a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam,” the president said.
Establishing energy partnership
Sisi said his talks with the chancellor also prioritized discussing ways to enhance cooperation in the field of energy, whether at the bilateral level with Germany or with the European Union.
“I reiterated to Chancellor Scholz Egypt's full readiness to lay the foundations for a strong partnership with Germany in the field of energy of all kinds, whether through the export of natural gas to Germany and the European Union, or the establishment of an extended partnership with Germany,” he said.
El-Sisi added that this partnership arises from Egypt's ambitious vision for the transformation into a special clean energy production and export hub regarding green hydrogen and solar and wind energy wind in particular.
Scholz marked the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations with Egypt, which he said are based on mutual respect and appreciation.
Human rights developments
El-Sisi said he was keen during his talks with Scholz to inform him of the important developments taking place in the main axis of the Egyptian national work in recent months, which is the file of human rights.
“It is a part of the comprehensive approach adopted by the Egyptian state in this regard,” El-Sisi said.
“This is driven by the fact of the human right to a decent life and development in a society that enjoys political rights and freedoms, guaranteed by the Egyptian constitution which the state is committed to safeguard and protect,” he added.
El-Sisi said that launching the National Human Rights Strategy, which includes implementation steps, evaluation, and follow-up mechanisms, was at the forefront of these steps. This is in addition to launching the national dialogue and ending the state of emergency in Egypt, he added.
Scholz said he held with Sisi prolonged discussions on the human rights file as well as the Libyan crisis and the need to hold impartial elections in Libya.
COP27 and climate cooperation
Scholz said that the EU has agreed on the need for making COP27 that Egypt will host in November a success, affirming the need to implement the outcome of the Paris Agreement especially regarding reducing emissions.
Sisi took part in the Petersburg Climate Dialogue in Germany earlier on Monday, during which he said that Egypt is hosting the Climate Summit amid delicate circumstances due to the energy and climate crises and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
He added during his speech at the that the priority in the coming period is to implement the provisions of Paris climate agreement.
“Petersburg Dialogue has become one of the important stations for coordination and consultation between countries to face consequences of climate change” Sisi said, adding that it's a must to reach a “clear vision to support developing countries in facing climate change”.
“Africa is at the center of challenges and is affected by international crises more than any other region” Sisi said.
Sisi affirmed that climate change poses an “existential threat,” saying that hosting COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh is great indication of Egypt’s interest in climate change.
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