Egypt keen to settle Regeni case in light of Cairo-Rome strong ties

BEIJING - 28 April 2019: Egypt is keen on following up and settling the case of Italian student Giulio Regeni, who was found murdered in 2016 in Cairo, in terms of good and strong relations between both countries, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady told reporters in Beijing Saturday.

The spokesman underscored the Egyptian leadership's keenness on clarifying facts on that case and providing legal assistance on that score, noting that both Egyptian and Italian bodies concerned closely cooperate to settle the case.

He made his statements on the sidelines of the second Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing, where President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Both leaders cited historic and deeply-rooted ties between Egypt and Italy, Rady said, stressing that Sisi, in person, follows up the case and orders providing support to ensure the progress of the investigations.

Rady pointed out that a delegation of the Public Prosecution had traveled to a foreign country, for the first time in the history of Egyptian judiciary, to cooperate with the Italian side on the case-related investigations.

The meeting addressed promotion of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields, as well as recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the Syrian, Libyan and Palestinian crises as well as efforts to combat illegal migration.

The spokesman said both leaders reviewed the participation of Italian companies in the national major projects in Egypt, particularly Eni Energy Company's contribution to petroleum and natural gas fields.

Rady said the leaders reviewed the outcome of an African summit hosted by Cairo on the Libyan crisis, noting that Libya has great importance for Italy.

Sisi stressed Egypt's firm stance on Libya, rejecting the interference of the armed militias in any negotiations to settle the crisis.

The spokesman asserted that Egypt do not deal with armed militias that pose threat to the stability of states.

Rady said Sisi took part in the Belt and Road Forum and stressed the necessity to put the forum's recommendations into effect for better future worldwide.

The spokesman explained that the respective ministries, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will follow up the implementation of such recommendations.

Sisi highlighted that Egypt has been carrying out a huge project to develop the Suez Canal, making use of the canal’s distinguished location to become a world logistic and economic hub.

The Suez Canal effectively contributes to developing and facilitating international navigation and trade since it directly connects three continents of the Belt and Road initiative.

Rady said Egypt has developed an ambitious strategy to be a regional hub for energy through optimizing its geographical location and the growing discoveries in the fields of oil and natural gas.

Egypt also makes use of infrastructure of the networks of natural gas pipes, in addition to carrying out renewable energy projects and projects on regional cooperation electricity interconnection and natural gas liquefaction.

During his meeting with Sisi, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Egypt's achievements of economic reform, security and stability and the implementation of major national projects, encouraging Chinese companies to operate and invest in the Arab country, Rady said.

The spokesman added that the world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, lauded the successful experience of Egypt that has managed to overcome turmoil and achieve development and stability within a short period.