President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed in a statement Saturday the importance of Morocco's partnership with and support of Egypt during a meeting with the North African country's foreign minister. Al-Sisi welcomed Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Salaheddine Mezouar at the Presidential Palace during the latter's visit to Egypt. The meeting was also attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Saad Al-Alamy. State television reported presidential spokesman Ihab Badawi as saying regional and African issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting. Al-Sisi said Egypt looks forward to advancing bilateral relations between both countries, especially since they face joint challenges threatening their national security within northern Africa and the Sahel region, including terrorism and extremism. Al-Sisi reportedly applauded the "economic boom" Morocco has achieved under the rule of its King Mohamed VI of Morocco within the past decade. He stressed the importance of enhancing economic ties with the country through multiplying trade exchange, which currently doesn't exceed $ 600m, reported state television. The Moroccan foreign minister also reflected his country's aspiration to resume its cooperation with Egypt through holding a session of the Egyptian-Moroccan Joint Supreme Committee. Mezouar also called for activating the role of the private sector and "building a new partnership" between the two states, state television reported. King Mohamed VI of Morocco was among the foreign dignitaries who attended Al-Sisi's inauguration ceremony on 8 June. Upon the official announcement of the presidential elections' results on 3 July, Morocco's King Mohammed VI congratulated Al-Sisi. King Mohamed VI said that he is convinced Al-Sisi has the qualities of "a veteran statesman" and the "qualifications of an insightful leader" to support him in undertaking this responsibility.
