(Photo Presidency Handout )
Egypt is seeking international support in its economy and fight against terrorism within the framework of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s meetings on the sidelines of the Economic Summit.
Al-Sisi held a meeting with the King of Bahrain, and another with Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss bilateral relations and economic affairs, on the third and final day of the summit Sunday.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE granted Egypt a total sum of $ 12.5bn.
Al-Sisi also met with leaders of African countries, including President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, President of Comoros Ikililou Dhoinine and Vice President of Guinea Ignacio Milam Tang, to discuss regional affairs.
On the second day of the summit, Al-Sisi met with international representatives of several countries, including the US, China, Germany, Norway, France and Spain.
The meetings included discussions regarding Egypt’s developments and the war on terrorism, alongside regional issues and economic affairs.
In a meeting with German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel, Al-Sisi discussed developments in Egypt over the past two years as “a reflection of the Egyptians’ will”.
He noted the desire to complete the last pillar of the roadmap, notably holding parliamentary elections, as well as “promoting democracy values and sovereignty of the law”.
Egypt’s parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held before the end of March. However they were postponed as the Electoral Districts Law was deemed unconstitutional by Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC).
Gabriel however praised Egypt’s steps toward political and economic reform, stressing Germany’s readiness to provide Egypt with assistance in the development process and in its war on terrorism.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende also discussed bilateral relations and regional issues with Al-Sisi, particularly the situation in Libya and international efforts to combat terrorism.
Al-Sisi’s meetings included talks on bilateral relations with China’s Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin, and Spanish Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism Jose Manuel Soria.
During the meeting with Sapin, Al-Sisi praised France’s assistance to Egypt through the facilitation of a weapons’ deal.
Egypt purchased 24 French Rafale fighter jets, in a deal that was finalised in February. The deal was worth more than $5.70bn.
A US Congress delegation met with Al-Sisi on Saturday evening, to discuss bilateral relations between Egypt and the US, efforts to combat terrorism, and regional issues.
The delegation noted its support for Egypt, adding that it will provide all assistance, including militarily, to support Egypt’s fight against terrorism, both in Sinai and along the western border.
Al-Sisi noted during the meeting that the fight against terrorism is also an economic one, as it includes providing employment opportunities for youth, fighting poverty, improving the quality of education and openness to other cultures. There is also a need to prevent the spread of weapons and funds moving to terrorist groups, the closure of websites promoting extremism and eliminating the “fanatical extremist discourse of terrorist groups”, Al-Sisi added.
On the summit’s first day, Al-Sisi met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.
