Sisi, French PM review bilateral ties

CAIRO – 25 October 2017: As part of his three-day visit to France, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met Tuesday with the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to review bilateral relations in various fields.

A number of ministers and officials from the two countries attended the meeting. According to Alaa Youssef, the presidential spokesman, the talks reviewed bilateral relations, including fostering cultural cooperation and strengthening mutual trade that exceeded €2 billion ($2.4 billion) at the end of 2016.

Sisi lauded the efforts of the French companies in Egypt which undertook 458 projects with a total investment value of around €4 billion at the end of 2016, according to Youssef. Sisi also expressed keenness to foster these efforts, mainly in the fields of transportation and power.

Philippe praised Egypt’s achievements in regards to the economic reforms, and pointed that French companies are keen on carrying out large national projects in Egypt; particularly the Suez Canal Corridor Development Project.

Philippe affirmed France’s willingness to strengthen mutual cooperation in various fields, and to support Egyptian efforts in achieving economic development.

Sisi was welcomed to Paris on Monday for a three-day visit. Meeting with Sisi, President Emmanuel Macron said; “I do not accept comments from others on how I govern my country so I would not do that to others countries. Results matter the most, and Egypt achieved much in that aspect in light of its circumstances. Third, combating terror is an ultimate preservation of human rights.”