President El-Sisi Holds Talks with the French President in Paris

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace in the French capital, Paris.

The Spokesman for the Presidency said during the summit talks, President Macron welcomed President El-Sisi's visit to Paris and affirmed France's appreciation for Egypt at both the official and popular levels. He stressed that France holds in high esteem the historical bonds that unite the two friendly countries. The French President reiterated his country's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in various fields in a constructive and positive manner, lauding in this regard President El-Sisi’s efforts to maintain regional peace and security.

President El-Sisi confirmed Egypt’s keenness on strengthening and further advancing the long-standing strategic partnership with the French Republic, which represents a fundamental pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa. The President looked forward to bolstering coordination and consultations with the French side in the coming period on various political, security and economic issues of mutual interest.

The meeting also discussed a number of regional files, particularly the developments in the Palestinian issue and ways to revive the peace process. The President of France expressed his country's profound appreciation for Egypt’s efforts, either between the Palestinians and the Israelis or among the Palestinians, including efforts toward the reconstruction of Gaza. President Macron looked forward to continuing consultations with Egypt in this regard. For his part, President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's firm position on the Palestinian issue, namely to reach a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international references.

The developments of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya, Syria and Lebanon were also reviewed. President El-Sisi stressed that these crises cannot be settled except through political solutions, which preserve the countries’ territorial integrity and the integrity of their national institutions. This will provide the security basis for combating terrorist organizations and besieging their elements to prevent them from moving to other countries in the region. President Macron expressed France's aspiration to intensify joint coordination with Egypt on Middle East issues, given Egypt’s political leverage in its regional milieu. The President of France also valued Egypt's efforts to support endeavors to reach political solutions to the existing crises.

The meeting also tackled the difficult international economic situation resulting from the Ukrainian crisis, particularly its effect on food security and energy in the world in addition to the unprecedented negative effects on global markets. The two sides agreed that the current situation compels all international active actors to assume the responsible to find practical solutions and mechanisms to mitigate the repercussions of the crisis on the most affected countries. President El-Sisi underscored Egypt's vision regarding the importance of keeping the door open for diplomatic dialogue and solutions with all concerned parties.

President El-Sisi also briefed his French counterpart on Egypt's ongoing preparations to host the World Climate Summit, COP 27, in Sharm El-Sheikh next November, and on its efforts to coordinate international efforts to achieve tangible progress on issue of climate change and produce positive results from the summit.