Following the first Egyptian-French summit, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with the French ministers of foreign affairs and economy and finance to boost bilateral relations.
During his meeting with French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire, the officials signed four letters of intent and discussed ways to promote economic cooperation and establishing new projects.
The four letter of intents (LOI) will include a loan to support youth projects in the field of food trucks, partnership between SNCF and its Egyptian counterpart, and contracts between the Paris-based Independent Transport Authority (RTAB) to establish a new metro line and develop urban transportation in the Egyptian city of Mansoura.
According to a statement, Le Maire emphasised the importance of economic partnership with Egypt in many sectors, as well as the importance of starting new projects in the upcoming months.
Le Maire discussed ways to boost and facilitate trade and investment between the two countries and will address his stance towards the economic reforms recently taken by Egyptian government.
Al-Sisi and Le Maire attended a meeting with members of twenty five French companies that included some of those having Egyptian branches, and other that aim to open branches in Egypt.
The letters of intent with companies also signed between SNCF in France and its Egyptian counterpart, and another on a contract between the Paris-based Independent Transport Authority (RTAB) and the National Authority for the construction of a line of metres.
As for Al-Sisi’s meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, both officials agreed on the necessity of ensuring continued coordination and consultation between the two sides, as Egypt represents key strategic partners of France in the Middle East region and the main pillar of stability in the region.
The meeting witnessed a number of regional issues of common interest, especially in combating terrorism. Al-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the statement by the French Foreign Ministry issued in the wake of the recent oasis incident, in which France was keen to express full support for Egypt in its war against terrorism.
In this regard, the French minister expressed his country’s great appreciation and support for the Egyptian efforts in the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration, stressing the importance of enhancing joint cooperation and continuing consultation and coordination on ways to deal with these phenomena.
The meeting also included discussions over the Libyan and Syrian crises, and reviewed Egyptian efforts in resettling the Palestinian issue.
Al-Sisi arrived to France on Monday on a three-day visit for his first official meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil, Minister of Finance Amr el Garhy, Minister of Planning and Administrative Reform Hala el Saeed, and Transport Minister Hisham Arafat.
