Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry has affirmed that political consultations are continuing with Burundi to enhance cooperation and raise the level of economic partnership during the coming period.
Shoukry said, in a joint press conference with his Burundian counterpart, Albert Shinjiro, on Tuesday, that ways of strengthening bilateral relations in all fields were discussed.
He added that the Egyptian and Burundian peoples are linked by extended and fraternal relations, and there is a high degree of consensus in the visions between the two countries regarding strengthening relations, achieving stability and the common factor to raise levels of development and understanding of issues of concern to the two countries.
Shoukry praised Burundi’s supportive stances for Egypt and understanding the core issues affecting Egyptian national security.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs valued the distinguished relations between the two countries, adding, “We must make efforts to expand cooperation, and Egypt has a strong political will to continue and advance this relationship.”
Shoukry affirmed that there are moves to explore areas of cooperation, noting that Egypt contributes to construction, building and energy plans, enhancing Burundi’s capabilities, enhancing security capabilities to face common challenges, and politically pushing the Egyptian private sector to invest in Burundi during the current period.
He said that a number of Egyptian companies are investing in Burundi to invest the available opportunities and receive Egyptian support and encouragement, pointing out that it was agreed to form a business council for the private sector and Egyptian and Burundian businessmen.
Shoukry also stressed that Egypt is closely following the developments in Guinea, calling for the importance of dialogue during the current period and avoiding any destabilizing movements. “We are working within the framework of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to discuss how to get out of the crisis. In consultation with the African Union,” he added.
For his part, Albert Shinjiro, Burundian Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his great pride in the level of cooperation between Egypt and Burundi in various fields, and his appreciation for Egypt’s support for his country in various international and regional frameworks, which reflects the size of the historical relations that unite the two brotherly countries.
He said that his country has more investment opportunities after the country got rid of armed conflicts and things are now possible to invest safely, calling on Egyptian investors to invest in several areas.
He clarified that they discussed issues of peace, security and development in the region
Shinjiro stressed that the file of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is very sensitive, and that any country has the right to achieve development, but water for the Egyptians is a matter of life or death.
He added that the right to life comes before the right to development, and therefore the issue of the GERD must be resolved through dialogue between countries and reaching legally binding agreements.
