Germany Hails Egypt's Moral, Humanitarian Role in Refugees Issue

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received today Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, on Saturday and discussed fostering bilateral relations between Berlin and Cairo, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

The meeting was held in the presence of Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in addition to Ambassador Frank Hartmann, the German ambassador in Cairo.

Sisi requested Baerbock to convey his greetings to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, stressing that Egypt attaches special importance to its close relations with Germany and the strengthening of cooperation and mutual interests between the two countries in various fields.

"Egypt considers partnership relations with Germany an essential hub for Egyptian relations with Europe, deeming Germany as a major European country," said Rady.

On her part, the German Foreign Minister conveyed to President Sisi the greetings of the German Chancellor, stressing her country’s pride in the strong and distinguished relations that Egypt and Germany share.

"Egypt is the axis of stability and balance in the Middle East and Africa, in addition to its primary role in combating terrorism and extremist ideology," Baerbock said.

She also hailed Egypt's efforts in combating illegal immigration and playing an appreciated moral and humanitarian role as Egypt hosts millions of refugees, integrating them into society and providing them with all basic rights.

"Egypt has achieved great success under the leadership of Sisi in consolidating the principles of freedom of worship, religious tolerance, and acceptance of others, which has made it an ideal and a regional model to follow,” she stressed.

Sisi and Baerbock discussed bilateral relations, especially at the economic, commercial, investment, and military levels.

In this regard, Sisi welcomed the interest of German companies in pumping their investments into Egypt, expressing his aspiration to increase those investments as well as benefit from German expertise and technology to localize industry in Egypt.

In the same vein, the German minister manifested her country’s follow-up on the huge size of major development projects nationwide, stressing that this matter would provide promising and multiple opportunities to maximize German investments in Egypt, especially in the fields of infrastructure, transport, clean and renewable energy, electricity, and education.

The meeting discussed developments related to a number of regional issues of common interest, as it was agreed to continue coordination and consultation between Egypt and Germany in this regard in order to face the existing challenges in the region," the spokesman added.

Sisi and Baerbock also touched on the Palestinian issue, as well as the situation in Libya, where an agreement was reached in this regard regarding the concerted joint efforts between Egypt and Germany in an effort to implement the decisions issued by the Berlin track.

They also discussed Egypt's preparations to host the United Nations Climate Summit in November 2022, in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the German Foreign Minister praised the important role played by Egypt in the framework of international and regional efforts to confront climate change.

She expressed the aspiration to enhance cooperation with Egypt.

The President stressed that Egypt is keen on the optimal outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit and the attendance of the largest possible number of participants, including representatives of civil organizations active in the field of environmental preservation, and giving them the freedom to express their views.

Egypt will also seek to build on the international momentum generated by the recent Glasgow conference and the emergence of ambitious results and initiatives that contribute to strengthening international climate action at all levels, especially with regard to reducing emissions, building the capacity of developing countries to adapt to the negative effects of climate change and enhancing their ability to access climate finance.