"Ask the President" at 5th Youth Conference

• On economic reform:

- Economic reforms undertaken by Egypt as of November 2016 were inevitable. During that period, lack of cash reserves and reliance on free market drove the country near a tipping point. Lack of foreign currency virtually put the factories at risk of imminent closures and layoffs. Unemployment and inflation were looming out of the darkness. Media had to jump in to throw light on all procedures taken. Every household had to bear its share. Non-commitment would only add fuel to fire. Pride and joy is what is sought ultimately in hearts and minds of people. Bearing the responsibility and forging ahead was the name of the game. Then successors can carry the flame.

- The World Bank would not have continued extending loans without a solid economic position or the country would be led astray into a noodle bowel of economic difficulties. Meaning we had two options-retreat or keep going. Measures are taken now to turn Egypt into an “enduring state”. The road to reform was a difficult one but it had to be taken. I come from the poor class and I know the suffering of the poor. I aware of the decline they encounter. The way out is sought by patience, endurance and support extended to the state, the President stated. He added that the average spending of Egyptians is a trillion USD per annum while income falls to a trillion EGPS. The big picture is incontestable and you need to take it into view. There are countries with a population not exceeding 350 thousand people and a budget exceeding 800 billion EGPS yet they are unjustifiably compared to us.

- The Egyptian have dignity and can counter all adversities to overcome poverty and regression. I don’t seek popularity but I am after fulfilling my duties as I am accountable before God, President El-Sisi has added.

• Regarding the need for a government spokesperson to respond to rumors:

- I talk a lot about problems and crises, and people are only interested in impactful decisions.

- On the increase in subway tariffs, President El-Sisi said that all the services are subsidized by the state and rendered in less than half of its original value regardless of quality. No other African country follows such a pursuit. Subsidy is progressively increasing with the population growth. A striking example is the 80 million EGPs subsidy extended to bread.

- I hope that there will be many discoveries, such as Zohr field, and God speed.

• On poor public transportation conditions in governorates and villages and outcomes of economic reform and price hikes:

- We are all in the same boat, and I believe that the upcoming municipality elections is but a springboard to introduce new leaders capable of pursuing a service facelift in the governorates, particularly transportation.

- Prominent outcomes of the economic reforms and projects have dropped the curtain on the incessant domino effect. State endeavors have put a halt to price increases particularly basic food commodities. The National Service Projects Organization opened 54 additional outlets in the governorates besides the previous 200 outlets to curb prices and save people from falling prey to free market interplay. I call upon people to be patient and I assure them that the government is sparing no effort to fulfill relevant obligations.

• A message of hope from the President to citizens:

- A multitude of projects initiated four years ago by the state will be completed in the next two years. Fish farming projects are expected to add an additional 2.5 million feddans to the cultivable land. Coupled with the new industrial cities, further job opportunities would be created for the young. The 16-year-delayed Maspero Triangle development project have finally seen the light and will indeed serve as a role model for possible changes and revamping of similar areas. Maspero Triangle has offered several options to past residents: some were moved from near slum dwellings to decent houses; others received compensation payments for relocation purposes; and a third group were given the choice to return to same dwelling after renovation works are completed.

- Hope is on the horizon and will be evident in next two years. Population growth, however, will remain the greatest challenge. If the people accuse the state of failing to fulfill its duties, parents who embark on big families fail the same way in securing a decent livelihood for their offspring.

• On the security and regional situation; On Egypt’s stance vis-à-vis Israel’s violations and relocation of US embassy to Jerusalem:

- The situation in the region is labyrinthine; particularly in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen. Egypt seeks political solution and territorial integrity for all these countries with no exception. We back national armies as legitimate defenders of homelands and not armed militias. Peoples self-determination is respected denying any external interference. Egypt’s stance vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause is non-yielding. The relocation of the US Embassy will bring about unfavorable repercussions to the Palestinian cause at large. Egypt has at all times taken a proactive endeavor and taken action in light of its scope of potential. Rafah crossing is opened to mitigate the suffering of our fellow Palestinians. I hope that they would not adopt protesting stances that would add fuel to fire. I do further hope that the Israeli’s would discontinue the bloodshed. This is the endeavor Egypt could embark upon with no bids or lip service.

• On the impact of the United States withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal:

- Brotherly countries in the gulf are alerted to their national security. Any transgression in this connection is immediately linked to that of Egypt’s. The US decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal will impact oil prices beyond doubt. A 10-dollar increase in oil prices would cost us 35 billion EGPs. Terrorism and extremism fan the flames of the region. Hopefully eminent crises would be diffused as wars would bring nothing but dismay.
- The issue of the Sunni-Shia conflict only highlights the exigency of a new religious discourse, tolerance, coexistence and acceptance of the other.

• On Renaissance Dam crisis :

-There is progress in our negotiation with our brothers in Sudan and Ethiopia. However, this dossier will take great time and effort till a breakthrough is achieved. The new Ethiopian Prime Minister was invited to Egypt to talk to the Egyptian people and reassure them. During the recent meeting, the Ethiopian Prime Minister and the Sudanese President confirmed the necessity of preserving Egypt’s share of water, and I call on the people to rally around their country to preserve it.

• On the future vision of the country after the end of the second presidential period:

- The next four years will witness the development of education, health, and the State's Administrative Apparatus as well as the political life. I also assure you that the National Training Academy for qualifying youth will equip cadres capable of leading the country for years to come in the future and not only after the end of the second presidential period. My efforts will not go in vain lost. Malaysia is a role model in this connection: Mahathir bin Mohamad was brought again even though he was over ninety years old.

- President El-Sisi will perform the next Eid Al-Fitr prayer, accompanied by the families of the martyrs. He extended his congratulations to the Egyptian people on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.