Sisi asserts keenness on boosting historical fraternal relations with South Africa

NIAMEY - 9 July 2019: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi asserted Egypt’s keenness on boosting its historical fraternal relations with South Africa during talks he had with the African nation’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of a mini coordinating summit between the African Union (AU) and the regional economic groups which he chaired in Niger on Monday.

According to presidential spokesman Bassam Radi talks between the two leaders tackled cooperation in numerous fields at the bilateral, continental and international levels and Sisi congratulated Ramaphosa on his re-election for a second term in office, wishing him good luck and underlining the need to use the two nations’ influence in serving the benefit and interests of the entire continent.

Expressing deep appreciation of Egypt and its leadership and people and praising the good relationship which the two countries enjoy, Ramaphosa noted their strong future cooperation prospects and called for enhancing relations to a higher level especially in the economic, trade and investment fields, the spokesman said.

He stressed the need to consolidate the Cairo-Cape Town road project and to encourage other infrastructure projects to serve Africa’s development process, Radi added.

Talks between the two sides took up many regional issues and African Union files, Egypt’s current presidency of the AU and African economic integration and development and interAfrican trade movement, he said.

He pointed out that they also discussed a number of pressing political topics, including the Libyan crisis and Egypt’s support to Libya’s unity and stability and to efforts aiming at reaching a political settlement to its conflict and the counterterrorism efforts exerted by the Libyan National Army.

According to him, the two presidents agreed on the need to beef up bilateral political consultations as regards peace, security, economic development and strategic dialogue issues connected with the African continent, given the important role both countries are playing as the current and coming presidents of the AU.