Sisi, Le Drian discuss transferring French technology to Egypt

CAIRO – 11 January 2021: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed aspiration to transfer French technology and experience in various developmental fields, as het met on Monday with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Le Drian has made a visit to Egypt to participate in a meeting with the Egyptian, German and Jordanian foreign ministers, to discuss means to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Sisi expressed hope to benefit from the French technology and experience, especially in railway projects and the national project to develop the Egyptian countryside villages, Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

The president also referred to promising cultural cooperation between the two countries, in coincidence with the imminent opening of the arts and culture city at the New Administrative Capital as well as the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest in the world.

The meeting also discussed regional issues of mutual concern, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Sisi and Le Drian have agreed on the need to continue coordination between Egypt and France in this regard, especially in light of compatibility of the two countries’ interests.

They also discussed developments in Libya. Le Drian affirmed France’s appreciation of the Egyptian efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis. They agreed on the importance of concerted bilateral efforts to consolidate a comprehensive political path that addresses all aspects of the crisis.

Meeting FMs

Sisi held a meeting on Monday with Le Drian, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

During the meeting, Sisi affirmed the need to resume peace process at the international political level, while taking into consideration the latest international and regional political developments, the Presidency said.

“The president affirmed that settling the Palestinian issue will change the situation and condition of the entire region for the better,” a statement by presidential spokesman Bassam Radi read.

This change for the better can be achieved through opening new paths and horizons of regional cooperation among governments and peoples, the statement cited Sisi as saying.

The president also stressed Egypt’s ongoing efforts toward the Palestinian cause, as one of the constants of the Egyptian policy and the core of issues of the Middle East, the statement read.

Sisi affirmed that these efforts aim to help the Palestinian people restore their legitimate rights and establish their independent state in accordance with the international legitimacy references.

Foreign ministers of Jordan, France and Germany all expressed appreciation to Egypt’s efforts in backing the Palestinian cause.

They hailed Egypt’s historic, fixed and continuous role in this regard, with the aim of reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the crisis.

The ministers also praised efforts made by the Egyptian state to maintain de-escalation in the Gaza Strip and improve the humanitarian and economic situation at the strip.

They hailed Egypt’s keenness to accomplish the reconciliation between the Palestinian factions, affirming the need to periodically hold the “Munich Group” to activate peace efforts in the region and resolve the current stalemate in the Palestinian issue.

The meetings aim at urging the Palestinian and Israeli sides to negotiate to reach a comprehensive, fair political solution to the crisis.