President El-Sisi Receives France's Minister of Foreign Affairs

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received today Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sameh Shoukry and the French ambassador to Cairo.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the meeting discussed a range of issues of joint cooperation within the framework of the strategic relations between the two friendly countries. Ways to enhance efforts to confront the surge of extremism and hatred amid the recent tension between the Muslim world and Europe were also addressed.

For his part, the French Foreign Minister affirmed France's respect and appreciation for all religions and their principles and values, and its aspiration to strengthen cooperation and consultation with Egypt to combat the spreading phenomenon of fanaticism and extremist ideology, particularly as Egypt is a beacon of moderation and since it adopts an approach that aims to establish the values of coexistence, freedom of worship and respect. France's Foreign Minister praised Egypt's efforts, under the leadership of President El-Sisi, to achieve understanding and encourage dialogue between people of all religions.

For his part, the President stressed the urgent need for mobilizing all efforts to uphold the values of coexistence and tolerance among all religions, to extend bridges of understanding and fraternity, and non-harm to religious symbols, expressing his complete rejection of terrorist acts in all their forms or linking any religion to acts of violence and extremism. The President highlighted the Egyptian experience in consolidating principles of tolerance, rejecting violence, fanaticism and terrorism, and understanding the specific characteristics and principles of each belief. Egypt is ready to cooperate and support various international efforts to promote these concepts, the President added.

The Spokesman added that the meeting also discussed the latest developments of the Libyan issue; the President showcased Egypt's firm strategic position towards Libya, especially with regard to supporting the current discussions in all tracks in accordance with outcomes of the Berlin Conference and the Cairo Declaration. This is in addition to stabilizing the cease-fire, adhering to the announced lines and preventing renewed clashes until elections are held and the government is formed to preserve the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories in order to start a new phase for the current and future generations of the brotherly Libyan people.

For his part, the French Foreign Minister praised the important role played by Egypt in resolving the Libyan crisis and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s efforts in this regard, as the lines announced by his Excellency contributed to strengthening the efforts of the political process in Libya. These lines also demonstrated Egypt's pivotal role as a basic pillar of security and stability in its regional environment and the Middle East region at large. The French Foreign Minister affirmed France’s keenness to continue intensive cooperation and coordination between the two countries in this important file.

Views were exchanged on the developments of some regional files of common interest, foremost of which are the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria. Consensus was reached, in this regard, on intensifying coordination and consultation between the two sides.