Wrap up: Egypt’s economic plan tops Sisi’s Tuesday agenda in France

CAIRO – 25 October 2017: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed on Tuesday Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, saying that his schedule in Paris is intensive, as he is scheduled to meet with so many ministers.

Macron said that both countries have a strategic and military partnership in combating terrorism, and that France supports the battle against terrorism. “We are committed to providing everything that Egypt needs to combat terror. We are also committed to achieving reconciliation in Libya and Syria,” Macron stated.


French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attend a news conference at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, October 24, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Members of the Egyptian community in Paris organized a march to welcome President Sisi on his official visit outside Elysee Palace on Tuesday.

Some of the participants in the march raised Egyptian flags and photos of President Sisi, repeating chants of “Long Live Egypt.”

Economic Cooperation
France would also cooperate in sectors it is experienced in, such as metro lines and renewable energy. The French president announced that a French economic delegation will be sent to Egypt in the beginning of 2018, especially to certain economic zones, such as the one within the Suez Canal Axis, for the excellent economic opportunities available there.

Sisi said that Egypt and France signed deals and memoranda of understanding (MoU) worth €400 million ($471 million) in different economic and cultural sectors, during a joint press conference with Macron in Paris.


“We signed deals worth €400 million in different economic and cultural sectors…this year coincides with the 150th anniversary of Suez Canal,” Sisi said.


French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Elysee Palace, in Paris - REUTERS

He added, "We held talks tackling Egypt’s economic reform programs and the social security network it is implementing."

Macron said that the Suez Canal is currently a place where there are “great opportunities,” and he reminded of the “historic relations” between Egypt and France, during a joint press conference with Sisi.

Egypt, France sign MoU to develop national railway system
Sisi received on Tuesday the chairperson of France’s national state-owned railway company, Guillaume Pepy, in Paris.

The meeting included discussions on Egypt’s efforts to develop the railway system in the country, including plans by the Ministry of Transportation to upgrade the signal and operation systems of the railway companies. Also, Sisi and Pepy discussed Egypt’s investment in enhancing the human and electronic capacity at the National Railways Authority.

Cultural Cooperation
Egypt and France signed cultural cooperation agreements Tuesday in the presence of presidents Sisi and Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris.

Earlier Tuesday, Sisi met with CEOs of two French companies – Naval Group and France’s national state-owned railway company.


Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere - photo by Wikimedia Commons

Sisi also visited Tuesday the “Musée de l'Armée”, or the Army Museum, at Les Invalides as part of his three-day visit program in Paris.

Coinciding with Sisi’s visit to the Army Museum, Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere, arrived in Cairo on October 23 for a week-long trip across the country.

The 24-year-old French beauty queen has been looking forward to visiting the country for a long time. Mittenaere came to Egypt to encourage tourism and to offer practical educational programs for children in Luxor, such as pottery apprenticeships.

Sisi: Egypt aspires to be modern democratic state, with emphasis on human rights
Sisi urged journalists not to consider human rights exclusively in terms of political rights, during a joint conference with Macron in Paris on Tuesday.

“I invite you all to visit Egypt and see that we do not have torture,” he said. This came in response to a question by one of the journalists regarding the status of human rights in Egypt.


French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attend a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 24, 2017. REUTERS

“Terror has shaken the region. Terror could have destroyed the region and even Europe. We are keen to establish a modern democratic state,” Sisi continued.

Sisi further emphasized that there are tens of thousands of NGOs that are operating peacefully and providing noble services to the society in Egypt.

Sisi’s visit to France tops French media headlines

Sisi's visit to France topped the headlines of various French national media platforms. The visit is the third since Sisi took office in 2014 and the first since Macron took office.

France Info (TV channel): reported on its website that the Egyptian-French bilateral relations witnessed momentum during the past years, especially on issues of common concern, like the Libyan and Palestinian issues, as well as security and military cooperation. The TV channel added that the latest deal of 12 Rafale fighter jets is a great example of the strong relationship between the two countries.

French newspaper Liberation: pointed out that Sisi would meet his French counterpart for the first time, as well as with several investors and businessmen. The newspaper added that Sisi will also meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who leads the French-Egyptian military cooperation deals.

France 24 (TV channel): described the relations between the two countries as “distinguished”, especially since Sisi took office in 2014. France 24 explained that the two countries share the position towards several issues, including Libya and counterterrorism. Macron was elected in May 2017.