French FM lauds Egypt’s recent developmental efforts

CAIRO – 30 April 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian Sunday as part of joint efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

Le Drian lauded Egypt’s efforts over the past few years to development and expand the construction of new cities, especially the $45 billion New Administrative Capital, which is being constructed east of Cairo, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

The French FM also affirmed his country’s readiness to exchange expertise in the development field, and to support Egypt’s developmental efforts, Radi added.

The meeting a number of bilateral issues in various fields were discussed. Sisi and Le Drian have agreed to enhance security coordination and information exchange between the two nations, Radi added.

Le Drian greeted Sisi on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron and affirmed France’s appreciation of the special relations between the two countries, according to Radi.

President Sisi praised the strong relations between the two countries, underscoring the importance of high-level visits and working together to strengthen mutual cooperation, Radi said.

This would subsequently strengthen partnership between the two countries in various fields, especially in the field of counterterrorism, according to Radi. Sisi also reviewed Egypt’s efforts to uproot terrorism.

A number of issues of mutual concern have been discussed during the meeting as well, including the updates of the situation in Libya, Radi said.

Sisi and Le Drian concluded that there is relative progress in the situation in Libya, which reaffirms the need for a presidential election to be held in the country before 2019, Radi added.

Concerning the Syrian crisis, President Sisi affirmed Egypt’s unchangeable stance calling for a political settlement that would solve the crisis, preserve the unity and the resources of the Syrian land, and ease the suffering of the Syrian people, Radi added.

In a press conference on the sidelines of the meeting, Shoukry denied that France has called on Egypt to send military troops to fight in Syria.