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President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed the importance of intensifying international action to contain the impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis on the global economy in general and developing countries in particular, in light of its repercussions on the international food, energy and financial markets.
This came during a meeting between President Sisi and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), Josep Borrell, in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and a number of EC officials.
In statements on Monday19/6/2023, Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmi said that President Sisi, during the meeting, stressed the importance of the European Union within the framework of Egypt’s foreign policy, given that it is Egypt’s number one trading partner and in light of the deep-rooted relations between the two sides.
For his part, Borrell praised the distinguished relationship between Egypt and the EU, noting that Egypt has a conspicuous political weight at the regional and international levels.
He also underlined Egypt’s role as the main pillar of security and stability in a region fraught with turmoil, which makes the country a key strategic partner for the EU and its 27 member states.
The meeting also took up the various aspects of the institutional relationship between Egypt and the EU, the spokesman said.
The two sides stressed keenness on continuing to enhance cooperation and dialogue to strengthen their friendly ties in light of their common interests and challenges, particularly with regard to fighting illegal migration and terrorism, he further noted.
The meeting touched on coordination on many international and regional issues, particularly the latest developments related to the crisis in Sudan, the spokesman said.
The European official praised Egypt’s hosting of Sudanese refugees as well as its tireless efforts to reach calm and a ceasefire in Sudan, the spokesman added.
Regarding the Palestinian cause, the two sides agreed to step up efforts to realize peace in the Middle East and settle the long-running Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with international references, in a way that restores the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights and achieves security and development for all peoples of the region, the spokesman said.
The spokesman concluded by saying that the two sides discussed the latest developments related to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.