President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held bilateral talks with his Hungarian counterpart President János Áder on Thursday at Ettahadiya Presidential Palace, eastern Cairo, according to Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Rady.
"Both leaders stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and exerting more efforts to boost economic cooperation and increase bilateral trade," Rady noted.
"Bilateral Talks with President Áder were fruitful," Sisi said during a press conference following the meeting.
Sisi also welcomed the arrival of Hungarian tourists as guests in Egypt.
On his part, the Hungarian president said that "We agreed to further strengthen economic cooperation and take advantage of available areas of cooperation, including water treatment."
Third Meeting Between Sisi, Áder
President Áder said that the last time a Hungarian president visited Egypt was 13 years ago.
Both presidents last met in New York, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September this year, where they reviewed efforts to resolve current crises occurring in some states of the region.
"Those who have knowledge of history can easily feel Egypt's deep-rooted bonds and we enjoyed this atmosphere," Áder added, stressing that illegal immigration and terrorism can't be tackled without Egypt.
Áder said that Egypt's success in fighting terrorism would be in Europe’s best interest, adding that immigration to Europe can't be stopped without Egypt's help.
Moreover, he pointed out that his meeting with Sisi is the third one within two years and a half which reflects the development of bilateral relations.
Economic Relations Top Talks
The meeting between the two heads of state also touched on economic cooperation, with Áder saying that both countries have an opportunity to cooperate, especially in relation to water resources.
"The 21st century is the century of water," the Hungarian president stressed, pointing out that the growing population will require greater access to water resources.
In 2017, the Hungary-Egypt Business Forum was organized by the Hungarian National Trading House to coincide with the visit to Budapest of President of Egypt Sisi.
Previously, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called for a breakthrough in Hungarian-Egyptian economic relations.
At the forum President Sisi said that political relations between Egypt and Hungary are excellent.
He pointed out that Egypt welcomes foreign investors – primarily in agriculture, industry and energy developments.
"With a population of almost 100 million, Egypt is a regional gateway to North Africa and the whole of Africa," he said.
Regarding migration, Orbán said that the Egyptian president and his government are making efforts to care for the millions of migrants currently in Egypt, to curb migration and to contain the situation.
These efforts deserve recognition, the Prime Minister said, as they not only benefit Egypt, but equally the protection and stability of the entire European Union.
Orbán stated that Hungary, situated in the southern half of the EU, is especially grateful to the Egyptian president for this work, which also protects the Hungarian borders.
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