Egyptian Defense min. hails strategic relations with European Union as he met EU foreign affairs rep.

CAIRO – 4 September 2020: Egyptian Defense Minister has expressed appreciation for the relations between Egypt and the European Union, saying that these relations are of strategic nature, as he met with Josep Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs.

This meeting comes as part of Borrell’s visit to Egypt, during which he also met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, where they discussed issues of mutual concern, including the Libyan crisis and the developments of peace process in the Middle East.

Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki, during the meeting, said the relations between Egypt and the EU are based on cooperation between partners to achieve stability and security for people of the Mediterranean region.

Zaki called the EU one of Egypt’s most prominent partners regarding efforts to achieve security and stability in the region, adding that relations between Egypt and EU member states have a great political, military and economic significance.

Borrell, for his part, affirmed the need to continue coordination and cooperation with Egypt.

The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to Brussels Khaled Al-Bakli and a number of Egyptian military officials.

In a separate meeting with Sisi, Borrell highlighted the importance the EU attaches to Egypt’s pivotal role aiming to achieve balance in the Libyan issue. He also lauded Egyptian efforts to tackle regional challenges that affect the security and stability of the countries of the Mediterranean, including hosting millions of refugees, combating illegal immigration, terrorism and extremism and bringing peace to the Middle East.

Borrell hailed the continuous Egyptian efforts to deal with tensions between the Palestinian and Israeli sides regarding Gaza Strip.

The meeting was attended also by Foreign Minister Shoukry and EU Ambassador to Egypt Christian Berger.

Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unchangeable stance on supporting a political solution in Libya, away from foreign intervention and armed militias, the Egyptian Presidency said.

Sisi affirmed that Egypt welcomes all constructive and positive steps that would lead to peaceful settlement, de-escalation and development in Libya. He also stressed Egypt’s support to international efforts in this regard, including backing all international envoys to Libya, relevant international conferences such as the Berlin Conference earlier this year and the Cairo Declaration calling for ceasefire and dismissing foreign fighters from Libya.

Sisi and Borrell also discussed the peace process in the Middle East and agreed on the need to push forward joint international work toward resuming negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, with the aim of reaching a fair and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international references.

Concerning the dispute on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Sisi affirmed Egypt’s adherence to its water rights, through reaching an international, binding and balanced agreement that states clear rules for the process of filling and operating the massive dam and achieves mutual interests of all parties.

The president affirmed paramount importance of the water issue for Egypt, as it mainly touches the Egyptian national security.