Austrian National Council president hails Egypt’s counter-terrorism efforts

CAIRO – 2 March 2020: President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka on Monday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and praised Egyptian efforts in eliminating terrorism, extremism and illegal immigration, Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Sobotka expressed Austria’s keenness to benefit from the Egyptian experience in reforming religious discourse and from the experience of Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top religious authority, in this regard.

During the meeting, President Sisi affirmed the need to enhance cooperation between Egypt and Austria at the economic and trade levels, through exchanging experiences and visits.

Sobotka, for his part, stressed Austria’s keenness to foster partnership between both countries in various fields and voiced support to Egypt in achieving comprehensive development.

The meeting discussed latest developments in the Middle East as well as regional crises, especially Libya. In this regard, Sisi and Sobotka agreed on the need of commitment to the outcomes of the Berlin conference, to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the issue.

Sobotka called for consolidation of the international community to eradicate terrorism, extremist thought and illegal immigration.

He hailed Egypt’s comprehensive framework for combating terrorism, through the military and security solutions, along with achieving development and providing all forms of dignified life.

President Sisi reviwed with the Austrian lawmaker the efforts made by Egypt at all levels to counter terrorism as a global phenomenon, including establishing the culture of accepting others as well as religious freedom.