Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met on Tuesday with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Ine Eriksen Soreide, where they discussed the Palestinian issue and the efforts of the two countries to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, according to the presidency spokesperson, Bassam Rady. Al-Sisi said that Egypt is keen to implement the two-state solution and looks forward to resuming negotiations between the two countries. Soreide is on a Middle East tour where she met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The two sides shed the light on all the latest developments in Palestine. She also met with the acting Israeli Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, on Monday, where they discussed potential cooperation between the two countries, including research, technology, oil and gas, and the fight against terrorism. According to Israeli media, Katz stressed the need to increase the pressure on Hezbollah, claiming that it is a terrorist group. The Israeli Minister also asked the Norwegian minister "to help combat the rising anti-Semitism in Europe," according to Israeli media. Soreide is also expected to meet with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry. On Monday, Shoukry met with a number of Egyptian MPs where he showcased Egypt's achievements in the foreign affairs file. He said that his ministry has been able to "restore Egypt's influence in the world," referring to the unanimous election of Egypt to chair the African Union in 2019 and the last Arab-European summit at Sharm El-Sheikh as examples for this success, according to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez. He added that Egypt's foreign policy is based on having balanced relations and mutual respect with all countries, noting that Egypt is still "being targeted by terrorist organisations and some foreign countries." On Sunday, Shoukry met with a delegation from the South Sudanese National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), headed by Tut Kew Gatluak, where he asserted Egypt's keenness for the stability of South Sudan. Shoukry expressed his happiness that South Sudan was selected as an observer state in the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), a body that oversees the implementation of the peace agreement in the country. In 2016, President Al-Sisi met former Norwegian Foreign Minister, Børge Brende, who asserted Norway's willingness to assist Egypt in the thriving fields of shipping and port management, fishery, and traditional and renewable energy projects. Al-Sisi further welcomed Norwegian companies to increase their investments in Egypt and contribute toward national megaprojects that are currently being executed, stressing the importance of continuing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. At the time, Al-Sisi also said that discussions will be ongoing with Norway in terms of regional topics and international issues of mutual interest, particularly the Palestinian issue and Norway's efforts in rebuilding Gaza.
