CAIRO – 28 July 2023: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said he looks forward to reaching a consensual solution with regard to the Black Sea grain deal that would take into account the demands and interests of all concerned parties and curb rising grain prices.
Sisi presented Egypt's vision regarding the current international situation as he delivered a speech on day two of the second Russia-Africa Summit, held in St. Petersburg on Friday.
During his speech, Sisi affirmed the importance of taking into consideration the needs of developing countries, especially the African states, with regard to the severe repercussions on their economies as a result of the ongoing conflicts and challenges.
This specifically includes the impact of the conflicts and challenges on the sectors of food security, supply chains and high energy prices in these countries, Sisi added.
“I underscore the importance of finding prompt solutions to provide food and grain at prices that would help Africa overcome this crisis, while exploring innovative financing mechanisms to support agricultural and food systems in Africa,” the president stressed.
The grain deal allowing the safe export of Ukraine's grain via the Black Sea amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict expired in mid-July as Russia announced pulling out of the UN-backed deal.
The deal has allowed more than 30 million tons of grain to be shipped from Ukraine, benefiting global markers including Egypt, the world's top wheat importer.
In remarks to Bloomberg, Egyptian Minister of Supply Ali Moselhi said Egypt "is not pleased" by the Russian decision, adding that the country will continue to receive Ukrainian wheat via Europe.
During his speech today, Sisi also called for developing durable solutions for ongoing conflicts worldwide, which should be based on the objectives and purposes of the UN Charter and the principles of international law.
The president stressed the need for peaceful settlement of conflicts, maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and addressing the root causes of the crises, particularly those pertinent to the determinants of the states’ national security.
Sisi also affirmed the importance of abstaining from using various tools to stoke conflicts and deepen the state of polarization, including employing economic sanctions outside the mechanisms of the multilateral global system.
Sisi highlighted Egypt’s pioneering efforts in pursuing the path of peace, which is based on truth, justice and balance.
“This was [Egypt’s] strategic choice and it carried the banner to spread this culture, believing in the power of logic, not the logic of power and that the world accommodates everyone,” he stated.
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