Merkel Hails Egypt's Role in Palestine, Libya

In a video conversation with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel affirmed Germany's pride in the friendship ties with Egypt, deeming it "an important pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Middle East region."

Merkel also asserted Berlin's keenness on continuous consultation and coordination with Sisi regarding various regional and international developments of mutual interest. In this regard, She hailed the Egyptian president's efforts to maintain security and stability and achieve development in the entire region, affirming the commitment of her country to support the course of joint bilateral relations in various fields and support Egypt's development efforts through the expertise of German companies and increase investments.

During the call, Sisi stressed Egypt's keenness to consolidate the existing partnership with Germany, and aspire to maximize bilateral coordination and consultation on various political, security and economic issues.

Sisi told Merkel about Egypt's keenness to maximize the volume of German investments, especially in the fields of energy and transportation, highlighting that Germany is one of Egypt's most important partners.

"Both leaders discussed a number of regional files, especially developments in the Palestinian issue in the wake of recent events," said Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

He added that the German Chancellor expressed her country's sincere appreciation for the successful Egyptian efforts led by Sisi, which led to a ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides and a calming of the situation in the Gaza Strip.

In this context, Sisi affirmed Egypt's vision of the need to work immediately to resume direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, stressing the continuation of Egyptian efforts to further the ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, in parallel with coordination with the international community to launch the Gaza reconstruction process based on the Egyptian initiative.

"They also tackled Libya and Sisi reviewed Egypt's efforts to support the current transitional phase, leading to the desired elections in December," Rady noted.

Moreover, Merkel praised the Egyptian role towards the Libyan cause, which strengthened the course of the political process in Libya.