Egypt FM meets British FCDO minister

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks Wednesday with British Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lord Tariq Ahmad.

Lord Ahmad’s visit to Egypt comes in light of the importance the British side attaches to strengthening cooperation with Egypt, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez.

During the meeting, the British minister underlined the importance of holding the first partnership council between Egypt and Britain under the co-chairmanship of Shoukry and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in order to further enhance bilateral cooperation and hold talks on a host of issues of mutual interest, added the spokesman.

Shoukry welcomed the UK’s decision to lift a travel advice for the southern part of South Sinai governorate and Fayoum governorate, noting that this will contribute to increasing the tourist inflow from Britain, said the spokesman.

The Egyptian top diplomat also underlined the importance of the British investments in Egypt, saying that Egypt hopes that Britain would increase its participation in the ongoing mega development projects, according to the spokesman.

The spokesman, meanwhile, said that Shoukry pointed out to Egypt’s efforts in transformation to green economy, especially in light of its hosting to the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November.

Meanwhile, Shoukry shed light on efforts exerted by Egypt in the human rights file, as part of implementing the National Strategy for Human Rights as well as efforts to uphold the principles of citizenship and equality, promote the values of tolerance and renew religious discourse.

The two ministers also exchanged views on a host of international and regional issues, including the repercussions of the Ukraine crisis, the tension and escalation in the Palestinian territories, as well as the latest developments in Libya, said the spokesman.

At the end of the meeting, the two ministers agreed on the importance of working together to enhance bilateral ties binding the two countries.

Source: State Information Service Egypt