France, Egypt to pursue enhancing military cooperation

CAIRO – 5 June 2017: Egypt is one of France’s most important partners in the Middle East, French Defense Minister Sylvie Goulard said Monday in a meeting with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

On her first visit to Egypt since taking office in May, Goulard praised the “quantum leap” witnessed in the military cooperation between Egypt and France, stressing her country’s keenness to pursue this collaboration in a way that achieves the interests of both states, according to a presidential statement.

She further pointed out France’s support to Egypt’s central role in the region as a key pillar of security and stability.

The visit, Goulard said, answers an agreement between Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron during a phone call following the Minya terrorist attack in May.

The meeting, held in the presence of Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi and French Ambassador to Egypt Andre Baran, addressed military and security cooperation between the two states as well as a number of issues of common concern, such as the threat of terrorism, the statement read.

Sisi stressed that the threat of terrorism is not limited to the Middle East, pointing out the necessity of international cooperation to confront the “plague” of terrorism and adopt a serious position against the states that support terrorist organizations.

He referred to Al-Azhar institution’s important role in combating extremist ideologies and disseminating the correct and moderate teachings of Islam.

The meeting also addressed recent developments in regional crises, such as Libya and Syria.

Egypt and France agreed to pursue intensive collaboration and consultations regarding regional issues of mutual concern, as well as military cooperation.