Sisi's 4th visit to Germany: harmonious visions, diverse cooperation

CAIRO – 18 November 2019: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has made his fourth visit to Germany, this time to take part in the G20 Compact with Africa initiative that is led by Berlin, with the aim of supporting economic cooperation between Africa and G20 countries through joint projects.

According to the CwA, the initiative will witness the participation of "reform-minded African countries, international organizations and bilateral partners from G20 and beyond."

The initiative seeks to "coordinate country-specific reform agendas, support respective policy measures and advertise investment opportunities to private investors," the CwA said on its website.

Following June 30 revolution against the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian relations with Germany, along with many other countries, had been strained. However, diplomatic, and subsequently economic relations with Germany have been restored in a short time.

Biarritz G7 summit

Sisi also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in August this year on the sidelines of the G7 summit held in Biarritz, France.

Chancellor Merkel reiterated that Egypt is considered one of Germany's key partners in the Middle East.

Merkel confirmed her country's keenness to discuss with Egypt the regional and international political dossiers, underscoring Egypt's position as a cornerstone for security and stability in the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean region.

Sisi, in June, also met with Merkel as well as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit held in Osaka, Japan.

Munich Security Policy Conference

This last meeting between the two leaders was in February this year. During the visit, Sisi met with Merkel on the sidelines of the Munich Security Policy Conference.

Sisi affirmed Egypt’s willingness to further develop more interaction especially with Egypt’s chairmanship of the African Union and Germany’s membership at the UN Security Council.

He also stressed the importance of adding to the positive outcomes of the visit by Germany’s Minister of Economy and Energy to Cairo on head of a delegation of representatives from major Germany companies.

The statement added that the meeting witnessed talks in a number of issues of common concern and the continuous development of relations between the two countries, especially economically, pointing out that a number of hulking German firms like Mercedes have decided to continue their business in Egypt.

The meeting also touched on a number of regional and international crises, including the crisis in Libya and Syria and Egypt’s vision towards boosting African cooperation in light of Egypt’s. The Egyptian President also suggested that Germany can initiate economic trilateral projects between Egypt, Germany and the African continent.

Talking Libya, Sudan

Sisi received in April this year a phone call from Merkel, in which they discussed the escalation in both of Sudan and Libya.

According to a statement issued by spokesman Bassam Radi, 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, 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.

G20's investment forum in Berlin

Merkel, on the sidelines of the G20's investment forum in Berlin in October, described Egypt as a role model for stability in the Middle East, praising the African country’s “leading role” in development, combating terrorism and illegal immigration.

The German chancellor affirmed her country’s support for Egypt’s economic reform program, and lauded the achievements made in this regard, Egyptian Presidency spokesman Radi said.

Merkel also stressed the German companies’ keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt, increase their activity in the country and strengthen current investments during the next period, Radi said.

Concerning Egypt’s efforts in achieving stability in the region, Merkel expressed her country's appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in combating terrorism and illegal immigration, saying that "Egypt has succeeded in dealing with these two phenomena and achieved great successes," Radi added. She also confirmed her country's readiness to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in this field.

The two officials also discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause and ways to advance peace process in the Middle East to achieve a lasting and just settlement based on relevant international resolutions and references.

In a press conference following the joint talks between Sisi and Merkel, the former praised the bilateral relations between the two countries, saying they represent “a diverse partnership in various fields.”

During the first term of elected President, Sisi, Merkel received Sisi in Berlin in June, 2015, marking the end of strained relations, while a number of protests have been 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 development of the relations between the two states in various fields.

Merkel expressed appreciation for the long term bilateral relations, which have lasted for about 61 years, affirming that Germany is one of Egypt's major trade and investment partners.