Le Drian to Sisi: Egypt is a strategic partner in the Middle East

CAIRO – 25 October 2017: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met on Tuesday with the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the French Foreign Ministry headquarters.


Presidential Spokesperson Alaa Youssef said that Le Drian was keen to assure France’s commitment to enhance coordination and cooperation with Egypt, for its strategic importance as an ally of France in the Middle East, and a main pillar of stability in the region.


The meeting tackled various regional files of common interest between both countries such as countering terrorism, where the Egyptian President was keen to praise France’s condemnation of the latest Giza terrorist attack, added Youssef.


Sisi stressed the necessity of intensifying the international society’s efforts to face elements supporting terrorism.


Sisi addressed the Egyptian vision to counter illegal immigration which is based on different reasons such as political unrest and economic challenges.


The meeting also tackled the current crisis in Libya, as Sisi stressed on pushing the political settlement in troubled Libya through the efforts exerted by the United Nations (UN), avoiding on the same time the multiple interventions, and setting Skhirat accord as the main reference for any expected resolution.


Both officials discussed as well the Syrian crisis, agreeing on backing the Syrians’ hopes to build a democratic state through a reasonable political process that will preserve the Syrian unity, and exclude the armed extremist groups.


Le Drian spoke highly during the meeting about the Egyptian efforts to realize the latest Palestinian reconciliation, considering the step as “crucial” to the peace process in the Middle East.


Sisi said that Egypt will always seek a fair resolution for the Palestinian cause to provide a new reality in the Middle East where all the nations would benefit from stability, security and development.