File- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and French Defense Minister Florence Parly 23-10-2017 CC SIS
CAIRO - 7 December 2020: On the first day of his official visit to Paris, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met French Minister of Defense Florence Parly at Les Invalides on Monday morning.
President Sisi received an official reception ceremony, and the national anthems of the two countries were played, according to a statement from Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Radi.
The Egyptian President voiced Egypt’s keenness to strengthen military and security relations and armament systems with France, Radi added, noting that both sides tackled aspects of military cooperation in the next phase.
President Sisi embarked on an official visit to France on Sunday at an invitation from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, said Radi.
Sisi started his official visit by a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, where they discussed the eastern Mediterranean, Libya, Syria, cultural understanding and respect between Europe and the Islamic world.
French FM Le Drian reflected France’s desire for strong coordination with Egypt in the eastern Mediterranean in light of Cairo’s ‘strategic balance’ in the area.
Sisi's visit comes as part of the two countries' keenness on developing their strategic relations as well as holding talks on means of boosting standing ties in the coming phase.
Live stream of Sisi’s visit to the Elysee:
Sisi and Marcon are expected to discuss a set of issues of common interest as well as coordinate stances regarding regional and international issues.
During his visit to Paris, Sisi will meet with the French premier, a number of ministers and top government officials as well as speakers of the French parliament.
Talks are expected to cover Egypt's vision regarding regional crises especially the Middle East region and the eastern Mediterranean. The two leaders are also expected to probe increasing joint cooperation especially in the investment and trade domains in light of Egypt's efforts to lure foreign investments to mega national projects in the country.
On November 2, Sisi and Macron discussed a number of issues of mutual concern, particularly the Libyan turmoil, in a phone call.
The Presidential spokesperson said that Sisi affirmed that there should be a vivid differentiation between Islam and terrorist acts that are being committed in the name of the religion.
He added that “[Islam] has no relation with such acts in all forms. The perpetrators shall not justify their [terrorist] acts in the name of any divine religion.”
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