President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in Paris, on Friday on the sidelines of the International Conference on Libya hosted by France, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.
"Sisi underscored the EU’s important position within the framework of Egypt’s foreign policy based on mutual respect and appreciation for each side's specificities," said Rady.
Sisi stressed that the EU is Egypt’s top trading partner, but in light of the multifaceted bonds the two sides share and the common challenges they are facing on the two banks of the Mediterranean.
On his part, Michel valued the outstanding relations between the EU and Egypt, stressing the European side’s interest to further enhance these relations in various aspects, particularly in light of Egypt’s political leverage internationally and regionally.
The meeting reviewed various aspects of the Egyptian-EU relations, including the political, economic and developmental dimensions.
Both leaders expressed relief at the overall developments in the institutional cooperation between the two sides. They also confirmed keenness on continuing the joint coordination and enhancing dialogue in this regard so as to strengthen the friendship between the two sides in light of their interests and common challenges.
They also discussed the ongoing coordination between Egypt and the European Union on many important regional issues in international forums, such as the peace process in the Middle East and the developments in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
Sisi and Michel agreed on the need to promote consultation between the two sides on these issues; there had been a convergence of views on the importance of continuing to work in order to reach political settlements so that stability can be restored in the region and a better future can be provided for its people.
Moreover, the President of the European Council was keen to commend Egypt's efforts in combating illegal immigration, stressing the European Union's appreciation for these efforts in dealing with that issue, thus halting illegal immigration from Egypt since 2016.
Michel also stressed that Egypt has set a successful model in the region under the decisive and wise leadership of its President.
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