Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received last week French Defense Minister Florence Parly in Cairo where they discussed boosting bilateral relations and mutual collaboration, according to the Egyptian presidency.
Al-Sisi stressed the importance and strength of Egyptian-French relations. He particularly hailed the military and security cooperation between the two countries, expressing aspiration for upgrading the level of cooperation in the coming times.
He further affirmed the necessity of continuing coordination and bilateral consultation on issues with mutual concern.
Parly expressed how her country is highly interested in increasing levels of cooperation with Egypt, and upgrading the current partnership between the two countries in all levels including military and security.
For his part, Minister of Defense and Military Production, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mohamed Zaki also received French Defense Minister Florence Parly and her accompanying delegation.
The two senior officials held a meeting to address a number of issues of common concern in light of the partnership and cooperation relations between the two countries in various fields.
During the meeting, Lt. General Zaki welcomed the visit of the French Minister to Egypt, which is an extension of the established relations of partnership and fruitful cooperation with France, especially in the military field.
The Defense Minister expressed the Egyptian armed forces’ keenness to increase ties of cooperation and partnership in many fields in a manner that meets the common interests of the two countries.
The French Minister affirmed her country’s keenness to enhance aspects of joint cooperation with Egypt, being a pivotal and pioneering country in the region.
The French official also praised Egypt’s prominent role in combating terrorism and its role supporting security, stability and peace in the Middle East.
The meeting was followed by a session of discussions between the two sides that dealt with discussing developments of the current situation and its repercussions on the domestic and international scene, as well as ways to support and strengthen military cooperation relations between the armed forces of both countries.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Muhammad Farid, leaders of the main branches and a number of leaders of the armed forces.
Cairo and Paris have had strong economic and political ties for decades now. Egyptian-French relations have witnessed an improvement since Al-Sisi took office in 2014. Egypt is one of the main exporters of French arms.
