Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Egypt's pivotal role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire agreement during talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday, held on the sidelines of the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace, the Egyptian presidency said. Sisi and Meloni discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy, trade, construction, tourism, and agriculture, while expanding collaboration between private sectors in both countries, the presidency said in a statement. Sisi highlighted the "positive momentum" in Egyptian-Italian relations, calling for continued efforts to enhance economic and political ties. Meloni, for her part, welcomed the growing partnership between Cairo and Rome and stressed the need to build on recent progress. According to the presidential statement, Meloni expressed appreciation for Egypt's mediation efforts that led to the Gaza ceasefire, saying Italy fully supports all initiatives aimed at restoring regional stability. Sisi described the ceasefire deal as the culmination of two years of Egyptian-led mediation, coordinated with Qatar and the United States, to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He said the agreement would open the way for reconstruction, increased humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages and detainees, while reviving the political process toward establishing an independent Palestinian state. The two leaders also discussed Italy's support for Egypt within the European Union, ahead of an Egypt-EU meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on 22 October. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
