Egyptian-African relations to noticeably improve: Presidency

CAIRO – 10 January 2018: Presidency spokesman Bassam Rady affirmed in statements to CBC Extra News channel that Egyptian-African relations will witness improved and noticeable momentum during the coming period.

Commenting on Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s visit to Egypt on Tuesday, Rady affirmed that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is keen to activate all cooperation fields between both countries during the coming period. “Mutual visits between the two states’ officials will take place, along with setting a permanent strategy regarding mutual cooperation between them,” Rady added in his statements.

Rady described Eritrea’s location as a “very strategic one”, adding that “this area is known as a safe haven of piracy. With all the unstable international conditions and terrorism threatening countries safety and stability, there was an urgent need to hold talks and discussions with Eritrea.”

He added that diplomatic relations between Egypt and other countries are mainly based on mutual cooperation, respect and interest. “During the coming period, we will see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs taking a prominent role regarding activating Egypt’s relations with Africa,” Rady concluded.

On January 9, Sisi welcomed his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki, at the Presidential Palace in Cairo. The welcoming ceremony of the Eritrean president saw the presence of the Egyptian guard of honor.

This is the third meeting of its kind between both leaders in Cairo, in which Sisi and Afwerki discussed several cases of mutual interest between the two countries in a summit titled “The Red Sea’s Safety”.