Libya, Illegal Migration Top Sisi Talks with European Council's President

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi tackled with President of the European Council Charles Michel a number of issues; most notably Libya, illegal migration and counter extremism.

As the first official visit since he took up office as the EC chairman, Michel is currently visiting Cairo.

"President Sisi received Sunday Mr. Michel at the Presidential Palace of Ettahadiya, eastern Cairo," said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.

Rady noted that the meeting discussed strong relationship between Egypt and the European Union on various levels; political, economic and developmental.

"Both leaders affirmed importance of continuing boosting relations and dialogue so that the friendship ties will be backed in the light of mutual interests and challenges," the spokesman added.

Moreover, Libya topped the meeting's agenda, along with other regional and international topics such as illegal migration and counter terrorism and extremism.

Sisi and the European Council's president agreed that the political settlement is a must to the Libyan crisis. Thus, the national institutions will be protected, Libyan territory will be preserved and illegitimate foreign interference will be contained.

Libya’s warring parties have agreed to a cease-fire that took effect after midnight on Saturday, stoking fragile hopes for an end to months of escalating foreign-backed fighting around Tripoli, the capital.

On his part, Michel lauded the Egyptian efforts in controlling the illegal migration crisis and terrorism; describing the Egyptian case as a "successful example" in dealing with such challenges.

In this regard, President Sisi expressed the state's keenness to fostering mutual cooperation with the EU.

In the meantime, the European Council's president discussed the bilateral cooperation with Egypt in fields of development, security and safety maintenance in the African continent.

In February, 2019, Egypt's Sisi took over as chairperson of the African Union (AU) following a meeting by heads of state from the continent in Ethiopia's capital. The post rotates annually between the five regions of the continent.

In the same context, President Sisi pointed out to chances of boosting cooperation with the EU in Africa; most importantly fields of reconstruction and post-conflicts development.

"Egypt is willing to assist in executing developmental projects that can boost the African countries' potentials," said Ambassador Bassam Rady.