Egypt’s President, Spanish PM Discuss Bolstering Ties

Arab World

December 2nd, 7:36am

Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met on Wednesday with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo. The meeting tackled means of bolstering and deepening aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as consultations on regional and international issues. Spain is a key partner for Egypt, Sisi told a joint press conference following the meeting, stating that cooperation between Cairo and Madrid is done through the joint ministerial forum. Talks with Sanchez reflected the common views to strengthen bilateral ties, he added. Sisi further underlined the importance of boosting trade exchange with Spain by facilitating the access of Egyptian products to Spanish markets. He pointed to the preventive measures taken by Egypt to limit the spread of the coronavirus. He added that the talks also touched on increasing the number of Spanish tourists, especially in Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El-Sheikh and other destinations in the country. “We reviewed means of enhancing bilateral ties in the fields of economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism and defense, in light of the close friendship between both countries,” Sisi said. Both countries are determined to push ties to broader horizons so that Spain becomes a key partner for Egypt, Sisi told reporters, noting that they are taking steady steps to achieve development and progress. Sisi and Sanchez agreed on the importance of joint action to increase Spanish investments in Egypt. He urged Spain to take advantage of the great opportunities offered by the huge projects that are being implemented across country, especially in transportation, renewable energy and agriculture. Spain looks forward to bolstering ties with Egypt in all fields, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady quoted Sanchez as saying. Egypt plays a pivotal role in laying the foundations for security and stability in the Middle East, confronting illegal migration across the Mediterranean, as well as countering terrorism and extremist ideology and spreading a culture of tolerance, coexistence and respect for freedom of belief, Sanchez stressed.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3336911/egypt%E2%80%99s-president-spanish-pm-discuss-bolstering-ties