Sisi, Merkel discuss Libya, Sudan political escalations

CAIRO - 16 April 2019: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received Monday a phone call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in which they discussed the escalation in both of Sudan and Libya.

According to a statement issued by spokesman Bassam Rady, Sisi and Merkel discussed a number of regional issues. Sisi highlighted the significance of the unity and stability of Libya as well as Egypt's support of efforts aiming at combating terror groups and extremist militias which pose threats not only to Libya but to the Middle Eastern and European countries.

For her part, Merkel expressed her country's keenness on reaching a political solution to the Libyan crisis in light of a dialogue among the Libyan parties and stressed the importance of the efforts targeting to end the deterioration of conditions in the Arab country.

Moreover, President Sisi asserted that Egypt is closely following up conditions in Sudan, pointing out that Egypt backs the choices of the Sudanese people without interfering in the African country's internal affairs.

Merkel received Sisi in Berlin in June 2015, marking the end of strained relations, and a number of protests were launched in support of Sisi in Berlin, according to Berlin police.

During Sisi's historical visit, an €8 billion ($9.1 billion) deal was signed with German Siemens AG to build gas and wind power plants in Egypt. According to media reports, it is the largest single order in Siemen's history.

In January 2017, Sisi spoke with Merkel, where they discussed cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. The two officials also discussed a future visit by Merkel to Cairo, said a statement by the Egyptian Presidency Office.

In March of the same year, Merkel visited the Egyptian capital, where she discussed with President Sisi issues including illegal migration, terrorism and the latest developments in the region.

Following the meeting, Sisi praised, in a press conference, the developed relations between the two states in various fields.

Sisi and Merkel also watched a video conference of the opening ceremony of the German Siemens' three power plants established in Egypt.

During his speech in the inauguration of the megaprojects in July, CEO of Siemens Joe Kaiser said that the three giant electricity plants, provided by Siemens, produce electric power for 40 million citizens, in addition to the provision of power to companies and factories for many years to come.