Egypt, France FMs discuss bilateral ties, regional situation

CAIRO - 8 August 2019: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed on Wednesday ways to develop bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.

In a phone call, the ministers lauded the level of bilateral, and highlighted the need to promote these relations in various fields in a way that meets the aspirations of the people of the two countries, Egypt's ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

Shoukri and Le Drian discussed the situation in the Middle East and ways to resolve the ongoing crises and tackled the preparations for the G7 summit to be held in Biarritz, France later this month.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in the G7 Summit, French Ambassador to Cairo Stephane Roumtier said in July, in a ceremony marking France’s National Day.

“France has great ambitions for the relations between the two countries. This is what President Macron proposed during his meeting with President Sisi last January when he visited Cairo, and this is what he will say again when receiving President Sisi in France at the end of August,” he said.

Ambassador Roumtier shed light on aspects of cooperation between Egypt and France in many fields such as education, infrastructure, and energy.

On January 28, 2019, Macron paid Egypt a three-day visit, during which the bilateral relations, as well as the crises in Syria, Libya, Palestine, and Africa were discussed.

President Sisi stated that he discussed with his French counterpart coordination on regional and international affairs as well as economic and cultural matters, explaining that the strategic partnership would help remedy deficiencies in the Egyptian economy.

“French companies are welcome to participate in mega projects and benefit from opportunities in Egypt,” President Sisi said. He also highlighted that 2019 is the year of French-Egyptian culture in the country

Macron announced launching a joint electric cars project, and cooperation on infrastructure, railways, roads, healthcare, culture, upbringing, and academic cadres training, promising to be more committed to teaching the French language in Egypt.

Macron also pointed out the need to increase the French presence in the Egyptology sector, museum exchange programs, and joint work on Islamic artifacts.

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Additional reporting by Noha el-Tawil and Engy Magdi