Nouakchott, June 30, 2018 – Egypt is keen on enhancing ties with South Africa in all domains, Foreign Minister Sameh Shourkri, who is in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott to attend the African Union's Executive Council session, said yesterday. During his meeting with Ms. Lindiwe Sisulu, the South African Minister of International Relations, Minister Shoukri called for sparing no effort to enhance bilateral co-operation, expressing Cairo's keenness to continue consultations and coordination with Pretoria on various African issues and files of bilateral interest, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. For her part, Ms. Sisulu affirmed her country's keenness to develop cooperation with Egypt at all levels. The Shoukri-Sisulu talks also dealt with the various aspects of bilateral relations and means of pushing forward co-operation between the two countries, Mr. Abu Zeid said. In this regard, Minister Shoukri invited Ms. Sisulu to visit Cairo to continue their discussions in the near future. Likewise, Ms. Sisulu said that South Africa was looking forward for a state visit by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Minister Shoukri as soon as possible, Mr. Abu Zeid said. The two top diplomats welcomed the convening of a meeting of the Joint Egyptian-South African Commission in the coming period to tackle all bilateral issues and overcome all obstacles that may face them, he added. They also stressed the importance of continuing intensive consultation in the coming period to achieve a qualitative leap in all fields to meet the aspirations of the two countries' peoples, Mr. Abu Zeid said. In a related development, Nouakchott was adorned with new facilities in readiness for the AU summit that starts on Sunday. The Mauritanian capital was now ready to host Africa's leaders, who will attend the 31st AU Summit, which is being held under the theme of: Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation". In readiness for the august assembly, the government of President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has emblazoned the city with new facilities and infrastructure. A brand new international conference centre that can accommodate up to 60 delegations has been built near Nouakchott-Oumtounsy Airport, while a hotel and 120 mansions have equally been constructed to lodge summit participants. More than 30 Heads of State and Government have confirmed their participation.
