Egyptian-French relations witnessed major development during Sisi's era

Egyptian-French relations had witnessed a major development during President Abdel Fattah El Sisi' era especially after signing a number of agreements in military field, an official source at the French cabinet said in statements on Thursday.

The source added that French Prime Minister Manuel Valls will discuss with Sisi means of fostering bilateral relations in security, defense and counterterrorism fields as well as the latest developments in Syria, Yemen and Libya and efforts to resume peace process in the Middle East.

Valls is planned to hold a two-day visit to Cairo starting from Saturday.

The French premier is also expected to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Sherif Ismail to tackle fostering economic partnership via a number of projects in infrastructure field including the Suez Canal Development Corridor Project as well as renewable energy, metro and satellites fields, the source noted.

The visit will witness the signing of a number of agreements to fund two loans worth 150 million euros and also holding a meeting for the Franco-Egyptian Business Club to discuss boosting ties in investment and trade fields, the source further said.

The source also underlined Valls' keenness to meet with Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al Tayyeb to discuss promoting dialogue among religions and spreading moderate Islam teachings and Muslims' conditions in France.

The French prime minister is expected to leave Cairo en route to Amman to meet with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour then Valls will head to Riyadh to meet with King Salman bin Abdel Aziz and his Crown Prince Mohamed bin Nayef to discuss fostering relations with Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Valls' visits come as pat of his first tour of the Middle East since taking office.

Source: MENA