Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani have hailed as “deep” cooperation relations between their countries at all levels.
Speaking in a joint press conference at the end of their talks earlier Sunday, Shoukry welcomed Tajani in Egypt, noting that it is his first visit to Cairo since he assumed the top diplomatic post.
Earlier in the day, Tajani also met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and discussed bilateral ties, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, Shoukry told reporters.
Shoukry said he and Tajani held one-on-one talks earlier today before they joined an expanded meeting that grouped delegates of both countries.
The meeting took up bilateral relations, with focus on means to bolster economic and trade ties, Shoukry told the press conference.
He said they also reviewed regional files, including the Palestinian cause and the situation in Libya and East Mediterranean nations.
The talks also took up ways by which both countries could benefit from one another; with Egypt considered an energy and gas hub in the East Mediterranean region, Shoukry added.
He underlined consensus and similar visions about most of the common challenges, atop of which the fights against terrorism and illegal immigration.
The Egyptian top diplomat said his country is looking forward to further boosting cooperation with Italy as its first trade partner in Europe.
Shoukry wished Tajani best of luck in his new post. He said Egypt and Italy are celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations since the appointment of an Egyptian ambassador in Rome. It is a good chance to underline the benefits achieved as a result of cooperation between the Egyptian and Italian peoples, he told the reporters.
Source: State Information Service Egypt