Egypt's Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry heads to the Berlin for a two-day visit on Wednesday to meet with German ministers and parliamentary figures, and hold interviews with German media, a Tuesday foreign ministry statement read. Shoukry will discuss with a number of high officials regional issues including the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Iraq, as well as the Palestinian cause. The FM will present Egypt's position on political settlements to end the crises in these countries, emphasising the importance of allowing those populations to determine their own fates without external pressure or interference. Shoukry will also discuss Egypt's role in combating illegal immigration, which according to the statement is "an important issue for the German side as the issue has major consequences for European societies." The visit will include meetings with Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Undersecretary for Foreign and Security Policy Christoph Heusgen, Minister of Interior Thomas de Maiziere and Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel. Shoukry will also meet with the German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Alexander Dobrindt, minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Muller, parliamentary group leader of the ruling CDU/CSU faction Volker Kauder, and Vice President of the Bundestag Edelgard Bulmahn. The Egyptian foreign minister will also sit for interviews with a number of prominent German media outlets. The visit "puts into practice Egypt's vision of opening up to its main partners on regional issues of concern," the statement read. "The scheduled meetings, although the visit is short, reflect Germany's appreciation of Egypt as a regional partner with whom it would like to enhance its relationship," the statement added. Egypt and Germany have strengthened economic and political ties over the past few years. In November, the first German air flight arrived at the Sharm El-Sheikh airport, putting an end to the European country's one-year travel ban to the Red Sea resort city after a Russian passenger plane crashed near the city in 2015. In 2015, German company Siemens signed an eight billion euro ($9.05 billion) deal with Egypt to build gas and wind power plants. Germany has also begun supplying Egypt with submarines, delivering in 2016 a submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Two more submarines destined for Egypt are currently under construction.
