Egypt, Nigeria FMs discuss African issues

CAIRO - 30 June 2017: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met Friday with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama to discuss issues on the agenda of the African Union (AU) meetings, especially the institutional reform initiative, as well as support for peacekeeping operations in the African continent.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said the meeting was held on the sidelines of the two ministers' participation in the meetings of the 31st Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council at the level of the Foreign Ministers of the AU member states, currently in session in Addis Ababa.

Shoukry expressed his hope to visit Nigeria in August to strengthen bilateral relations in all fields, especially cooperation in combating terrorism, the spokesman added.

Onyeama affirmed keenness on boosting bilateral ties with Egypt in all domains, Abu Zeid said.

The two sides stressed the need for a mechanism for adequate consultation among African countries before taking decisions at the AU level; taking into account the national mechanisms and laws of African countries, as well as their commitments at the international level, he concluded.