A day before Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visits Spain, the Spanish government has decided to support Egypt's bid for a non-permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council, Egypt's ambassador to Spain has said. Egypt announced its bid for the seat at the UN General Assembly for the 2016-2017 term. It received the support of African states at the latest African Union summit in January 2015. The Arab Parliament has also expressed support for Egypt's bid. Ambassador Ahmed Ismail said that Spain had expressed its appreciation of Egypt's role in supporting stability in the Middle East and combating terrorism, and added that the country is grateful for Egypt's support for its election to that position as Spain is a current member of the council. The ambassador said that, according to a statement by Egypt's foreign minister, relations are strong between both countries, and expressed hopes that more Spanish tourists would come to Egypt after El-Sisi's visit. El-Sisi was invited to Spain by Spanish king Felipe VI when he met him during a visit to Ethiopia in January. El-Sisi plans to hold talks with the Spanish king, followed by another meeting with Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, according to Egypt's State Information Service. Ismail said that Spanish engineering firms may dig tunnels under a new waterway along Egypt's Suez Canal, the digging of which should be concluded this summer. Source:Ahram online
