Egypt keen to strengthen relations with Germany: Al-Sisi

Germany's new government aims to bolster existing partnership with Egypt in various fields, says German FM Annalena Baerbock

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received on Saturday German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock in Cairo on Saturday.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and German Ambassador in Cairo Frank Hartmann attended the meeting.
The president stressed the importance Egypt attaches to its close relations with Germany and the strengthening of cooperation and mutual interests between the two countries in various fields, Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady said.
He indicated that Egypt regards its partnership with Germany as a key focus of Egypt's relations with Europe, given Germany's stature and weight as a major European country, as demonstrated by Germany's unprecedented and strong engagement with its major companies in Egypt's ambitious development plans in past years.
Al-Sisi also expressed his hope that this cooperation between the two countries with the new German government will continue on the basis of mutual respect and balanced partnership based on the status of Egypt and Germany and their great weight and pivotal role in their respective regional circles and in the international arena.
On her part, Baerbock affirmed her country's pride in its close and distinguished relations with Egypt, as it is the axis of stability and balance in the Middle East and Africa.
She also stressed the keenness of Germany's new government to strengthen relations with Egypt in a way that ensures the bolstering and development of the existing partnership between the two countries at various levels.
Furthermore, they discussed a number of issues related to bilateral relations, especially on the economic, commercial, investment, and military levels.
In this regard, the president welcomed the interest of German companies in investing in Egypt, expressing his hope to increase those investments as well as to benefit from German expertise and technology to localise industry in Egypt.
Baerbock pointed out that her country is following with great interest the major development projects being implemented throughout the republic, adding that this would provide promising opportunities to maximise German investments in Egypt, especially in the fields of infrastructure, transportation, clean and renewable energy, electricity, and education.
The meeting also touched on developments related to a number of regional issues of common concern, where it was agreed to continue coordination and consultation between Egypt and Germany in order to resolve the pressing issues in the region, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue.
They discussed the situation in Libya as well and agreed on intensifying joint efforts to implement what was agreed upon in the Berlin Process with the aim of resolving the situation in Libya in a comprehensive and integrated manner that addresses all aspects of the crisis.
Furthermore, the two sides discussed Egypt's preparations to host the United Nations' Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 27) in November in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Baerbock praised the important role played by Egypt within the framework of international and regional efforts to confront climate change, expressing her aspiration to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in this field.
Al-Sisi then affirmed that Egypt is keen to see the COP 27 through in an optimal manner and to have as many participants as possible, including representatives of civil organisations active in the field of environmental protection and giving them the freedom to express their views.
He also said that Egypt will seek to build on the international momentum generated by the recent COP 26 that was held in Glasgow and implement ambitious initiatives that contribute to strengthening global environmentally friendly practices, especially with regard to reducing emissions and building the capacity of developing countries to adapt to the negative effects of climate change.
Later on Saturday, Shoukry met once more with Baerbock and held talks on Egyptian-German relations and important regional issues such as the situations in Syria, Libya, and the Palestinian territories.
They also discussed areas of cooperation, especially in relation to the COP 27.
Shoukry stressed the need to establish an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, noting that Egypt is holding consultations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to discuss ways to activate the peace process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides in the coming period.
Furthermore, Shoukry said that Egypt is observing the current developments in the Ukraine crisis with great concern, stressing the importance of security and stability and the absence of tension in any part of the world.
In response, Baerbock said that her country is working tirelessly to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis, pointing out that the German chancellor will visit Moscow and Kiev on Monday and Tuesday.