Egypt, Italy share common energy interests: Foreign Ministers

CAIRO - 15 March 2018: Egypt and Italy share the same energy interests as Egypt is on the way to become a regional hub for natural gas trade in South the Mediterranean, the two countries' foreign ministers said on Thursday.

Egypt's Sameh Shoukry and Italy's Angelino Alfano gave the remarks during their talks in Rome on the sidelines of an UNRWA conference.

Shoukry expressed Egypt's appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Italian government to return relations back on track, hoping of more cooperation between the two countries within the coming period, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

Shoukry lauded the progress realized by Italy's Eni company in Zohr offshore gas field, saying such a successful cooperation between the two countries encourages them to resume Egyptian-Italian business council meetings soon.

He underlined the importance of putting into effect an agreement reached between the two countries to fight illegal immigration.

Shoukry updated his Italian counterpart on the ongoing "Operation Sinai 2018" and the Egyptian role in fighting terrorism.

He reviewed contacts held by Egypt with all Libyan partners to reach a national reconciliation and unify army institutions.

The Italian foreign minister expressed happiness over the development of Egyptian-Italian cooperation in the economic domain, saying Italian businessmen are eager to pump more investments in the Egyptian market.

He lauded efforts by Egypt to unify the Libyan army.

As regards the case of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni who was found dead in Egypt in 2016, the Italian foreign minister welcomed the progress realized so far between the two countries' judicial bodies concerning this issue.

Shoukry reiterated Egypt's commitment to unravel circumstances surrounding the death of Regeni and bring his killers to justice.