Egypt, France FMs agree on necessity to solve Sudanese crisis peacefully

CAIRO – 14 September 2023: Bilateral consultations commenced between Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna on Thursday.

The consultations addressed economic cooperation, investment and exchange of views on regional and international issues.

In a joint press conference, Egyptian Minister Sameh Shoukry said that the Sudan’s neighboring countries that was held in Chad last month aims to address the crisis and communicate at the political level.

Egypt and France have the same visions in the importance of a ceasefire, sending aid, and launching a national dialogue between all components of the Sudanese people. He called for developing a road map in the future to address the crisis.

The road map that was briefed by the leaders of countries and the mechanism for its implementation will be discussed on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meetings, Shoukry added.

The Foreign Minister of Foreign confirmed that Egypt imports 10 million tons of wheat and relies mainly on Russian wheat after it was relying on Ukraine for other foodstuffs.

The French Foreign Minister stressed the importance of Egyptian-French relations, thanking President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for joint discussions took place on a number of areas.

She also praised President Sisi’s strategy and his role in the field of climate change as well as development, explaining that Egypt is an important and strategic partner for France and Europe.

Egypt and France can work in a way that contributes to having a positive impact on the Mediterranean region, praising Egypt's role in trying to bring stability and peace in the region, specifically in the Middle East.

Colonna stressed that France will remain a partner of Egypt within the framework of joint cooperation.

She noted that many challenges and tensions like major repercussions of the Ukrainian war remain face both Egypt and France jointly.

The French Foreign Minister Catherine said that the results of the Ukrainian-Russian crisis have repercussions in the rise in prices, especially energy, and its impact on food security, noting that the European Union supports Egypt to achieve food security.

She called on the Russian side to stop the war in Ukraine and the need for countries to put pressure to put an end to this war.

Also, she explained that France is supporting Egypt with the metro project, referring to the visit of former French President Jacques Chirac, when he was Prime Minister of France, to inaugurate the metro line, calling on Egyptian youth to learn the French language widely.

She said that the Ramses exhibition in Paris is quite distinguished and that the French people view Egypt, its people and its civilizations with great appreciation.