President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi discussed with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday bilateral relations and boosting the partnership between Egypt and France, according to a statement from presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady. Rady said that the meeting, which was held in Cairo, discussed boosting security coordination and information exchange between the two countries. Al-Sisi and Le Drian also discussed updates of several regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Libya. They agreed that the situation in Libya witnessed relative progress and the country needs to hold elections there before the end of this year, as the situation in Libya affects the stability and security of the Mediterranean region. During the meeting, which was attended also by Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry Al-Sisi reviewed Egypt's efforts in countering terrorism, which he described as the "major enemy of humanity." They also discussed the Syrian crisis and Al-Sisi affirmed the constant Egyptian stance which stresses the necessity of reaching a political solution to the crisis to ensure the integrity of the Syrian territories and end the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people. For his part, Le Drian praised the economic progress in Egypt and the establishment of new urban areas.
