Egypt's FM meets delegation of European Parliament

CAIRO – 25 February 2023: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received a delegation from the European Parliament, headed by lawmaker Thierry Mariani, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Parliament's Sub-Committee on Human Rights, on Saturday.

The meeting tackled the relations between Egypt and the European Union in a number of areas of cooperation, especially parliamentary, economic and development cooperation, and in the field of energy, said Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid in a statement on Saturday.

The delegation also met with Al-Azhar Deputy President Mohamed El Deweiny who affirmed that dialogue and peace are the only ways to put an end to the ongoing wars and crises. Deweiny discussed Al Azhar Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb’s efforts in providing a clear image of Islam’s tolerance, besides signing the fraternity document with Pope Francis, said Al Azhar Sheikhdom in a statement on Saturday.

The meeting also tackled the issue of migration in Africa as the only solution to it, as it has been clarified by Deweiny, is helping African countries achieve development.

Both sides also discussed other regional and international issues of mutual concern such as the Ukrainian crisis that lasted for a year, the Libyan turmoil, the Palestinian-Israeli cause, and migration issue, Abu Zeid continued, noting that Shoukry briefed the delegation in Egypt’s stance towards these files.

Last month, Director of Global Approach and International Cooperation in R&I of the European Commission Maria Cristina Russo, arrived in Cairo for a two-day visit, according to a statement by the EU delegation to Egypt.

Russo met Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research as well as Dr. Abdel Majidd Bin Amara, the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, the statement said.