Shoukry meets AU chairperson to discuss AU reforms

CAIRO – 2 July 2017: Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry met with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Fakih on Saturday, and discussed issues related to African continent, and the proposed reform process for the AU.

The meeting was held in attendance of Ambassador Moushira Khattab that is for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, and it came on the sidelines of the 31st regular meeting of the executive council at the level of foreign ministers of the AU.

Shoukry said that Egypt's support financial and institutional reform process of the AU, especially that the recent years showed the necessity of these reforms.

He also expressed Egypt's commitments to the AU, in a way that will not impact difficult economic circumstances in the country and that does not contradict with international obligations in this regard.

Regarding the budget of the AU reforms, Shoukry asserted on the importance of establishing a strict mechanism to control the ways implementation of the budget, whether financially or administratively.

He also asserted on controlling the preparation and implementation of programs and project and strengthening the involvement of all policy-making organs in this regard.

At the end of the meeting, Shoukry praised the role of the Chairperson of the Commission on the level of peace and security in the continent, and his multiple field visits to many conflict areas on the continent such as Somalia, and South Sudan.

On his side, the Chairperson confirmed the significance of Egypt position in the continent, in light of the availability of Egyptian cadres with high expertise, and that the Union is keen to benefit from those experiences.


The meeting also included discussions over stability and security issues in the continent and ways of counter- terrorism.