France affirms strategic partnership with Egypt: minister

CAIRO – 19 May 2017: French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian emphasized his keenness on the strategic partnership between France and Egypt, in a phone call with Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Thursday.

Egypt’s Sameh Shoukry and his newly appointed French counterpart discussed regional issues, and affirmed a need to coordinate on the Libyan crisis, according to a statement by The French ministry of foreign affairs.

#Egypt: @JY_LeDrian spoke with his counterpart #SamehShoukry about regional issues, the Libyan crisis & flight 804 ☞ https://t.co/EWANkQ6Sj4 pic.twitter.com/auj1h7cfSX

— France Diplomacy🇫🇷 (@francediplo_EN) May 19, 2017

Shoukry expressed his anticipation to work with Le Drian, in a way that enhances Egypt-French relations and their collaboration on bilateral, regional and international levels, Egypt’s foreign ministry said in an official statement.

Le Drian further affirmed the French decision makers’ great appreciation for the Egyptian leadership, praising “Egypt’s role and its balanced stance that makes it a focal point of regional security and stability.”

During the phone call, the French minister also referred to the situation of EgyptAir flight MS 804 crash, extending his sympathy for the victims’ families and friends and affirming France’s support for the Egyptian authorities to figure out the cause of this “disaster,” the French ministry stated.

Newly appointed French President Emmanuel Macron named Le Drian Minster for Europe and Foreign Affairs on May 17.

Early March, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had granted Le Drian, then French Minister of Defense, Egypt’s Order of the Republic, for his role in strengthening military cooperation between both countries. During a visit to Cairo, Le Drian also granted Egypt’s Minister of State for Military Production Mohammed Al Assar the Légion d’Honneur (French for Legion of Honor).

While serving as French Defense Minister, Drian had also met with his Egyptian counterpart Sedki Sobhi, in February. They discussed means to boost the cooperation between the two companies’ militaries and shared their visions on the security and stability of the region.