Gazette Staff VIENNA, July 6, 2018 - A senior Austrian official Friday praised the successful economic reforms that had been launched by Egypt, which he described as a pillar of stability and security in the Middle East. The Chairman of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotkaa affirmed that Vienna was keen on the furtherance of cementing its economic and political ties with Cairo, which had enormous potential. Mr. Sobotkaa made the statement during his talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, who is on an official visit to Austria. He praised the long-standing friendly co-operation between Cairo and Vienna at the economic and developmental levels, adding that Austria was looking forward to elevate its co-operation with Egypt in all domains. In this regard, Mr. Sobotkaa said that Austria was keen on supporting Egypt, which plays a vital and central role in maintaining regional stability and security. Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid quoted Minister Shoukri as telling Mr. Sobotkaa that Egypt was looking forward to more participation by the Austrian investors in the on-going development projects that were being implemented by the Cairo Government. Minister Shoukri said his discussions with Mr. Sobotkaa, which dealt with regional and domestic issues of mutual interest, had been cordial and reflected the attitude of the leaders of both countries for the consolidation of bilateral relations in all fields. On this issue, Mr. Sobotkaa, whose country will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union next year, said that he was looking forward for setting up an Austrian- Egyptian Friendship Group whose members would work on enhancing co-operation ties. The Shoukri-Sobotkaa meeting also dealt with a host of issues of mutual concern such as Egyptian efforts for combating illegal migration and terrorism, which constituted the biggest challenges facing the Middle East region, Spokesman Abu Zeid said. The two officials have also discussed the latest developments pertaining to the Syrian and Libyan crises, he said. Mr. Sobotkaa said that Austria fully valued the Egyptian efforts for combating terrorism and illegal migration as well as Cairo's endeavours to find political settlements to the regional crises. Minister Shoukri said the whole world was facing the real danger of terrorism that demanded the harmonization of efforts to confront and eliminate it. He also highlighted to the Austrian official some of the giant projects that are being implemented in Egypt. He indicated that Egypt was looking forward to increasing the level of Austrian participation in these projects.
