Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday to discuss a range of regional issues, including the situation in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Libya and the Red Sea.
The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
The two leaders discussed the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and France, and stressed the importance of continuing to coordinate and cooperate in a wide range of areas.
They highlighted the convergence of views and interests between the two countries, and the need to strengthen their strategic partnership.
The two sides also discussed the various economic cooperation projects that are currently underway between Egypt and France, in sectors such as transportation, manufacturing and trade.
In addition, they highlighted the historical cultural ties between the two peoples. The meeting also focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip.
President el-Sisi reviewed Egypt’s intensive efforts with various partners to achieve a ceasefire in the Strip and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
He stressed the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities and implement relevant international resolutions.
For his part, Le Drian affirmed France’s keenness to coordinate views and efforts with Egypt towards a sustainable ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners.
He highlighted the agreement between the two countries on the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and to activate the two-state solution as the basis for a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue.
The two sides also stressed their absolute rejection of any measures or policies aimed at displacing Palestinians from their lands.
They also affirmed the pivotal role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing support to the people of Gaza, especially in light of the catastrophic humanitarian conditions they are facing.
The meeting also touched on a number of other priority political issues, including the situations in Sudan, Libya and the Red Sea.
The two sides affirmed their keenness to continue consultations and exchange views in order to contribute to the consolidation of security and peace at the regional and international levels.
