Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met on Monday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, in the presence of Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and General Intelligence Service Hassan Rashad, according to a presidential statement. Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy said Chancellor Merz began the meeting by expressing his gratitude to President Al-Sisi for his "decisive efforts" that helped secure the Gaza ceasefire agreement, stressing that "without the Egyptian president's role, such an agreement would not have been possible." Merz also voiced Germany's readiness to take part in Gaza's reconstruction, describing Egypt's mediation as "crucial to regional stability." President Al-Sisi expressed deep appreciation for Germany and its people, affirming Egypt's commitment to advancing bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership. He called for broader participation of major German companies in Egypt's market, noting the country's network of free trade agreements with Arab and African nations that offer access to wider regional markets. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday on the sidelines of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit According to El-Shenawy, Al-Sisi underlined that Egypt's foreign policy is guided by balance, dialogue, and a consistent effort to prevent escalation in regional conflicts. He also stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination with Germany on regional files of shared concern, including developments in Syria, Sudan, and Libya. On the situation in Gaza, the Egyptian president welcomed Germany's readiness to contribute to reconstruction and emphasized the need to consolidate the ceasefire, avert renewed violence, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave. He reaffirmed that Egypt "is doing its utmost" to facilitate relief operations and sustain stability. Al-Sisi further expressed appreciation for Germany's support within the European Union, voicing hope for the success of the upcoming Egypt–EU Summit in Brussels on October 22. The president also invited Chancellor Merz to pay an official visit to Egypt — an invitation that Merz accepted. At the conclusion of the meeting, the German chancellor reiterated his gratitude to Al-Sisi for hosting the peace summit, describing their talks as "the beginning of a new phase in deepening bilateral relations." He praised Egypt's pivotal role in achieving the Gaza ceasefire and pledged to encourage German companies to expand their investments in Egypt.
