Spain gears up for Sisi visit despite preoccupation with 3 elections

Egypt's Ambassador to Spain Ahmed Ismail Abdel Moeti asserted that Spain attaches special importance to President Abdel Fattah al Sisi's visit in view of Egypt's pivotal role in the Middle East region and its key role in achieving regional stability.

Sisi is scheduled to hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and delegations from both countries.

Spanish Minister of Industry José Manuel Soria cut short his visit to China to join the Spanish-Egyptian talks.

Although Spain is currently preoccupied with preparations for the local elections, set for May 24 and the general elections to elect the regional parliaments of 13 of the 17 autonomous communities and Catalonia elections set for September, Madrid is still giving Sisi visit top priority.

Organizing Sisi's visit to Madrid at this particular time does not only represent a miracle, but also Spain's deep interest in boosting relations with Egypt, he said.

In statements on Tuesday, Abdel Moeti said Spain is deeply interested in expanding its trade, investment and industrial cooperation with Egypt which Madrid views as a big market in view of strategic location in the Middle East region and Africa.

He said talks aim at bolstering bilateral relations in all domains, especially the trade exchange, investment and tourism.

The two sides are also expected to review a set of regional and international issues of common interests and means of combating terrorism and illegal immigration, he added.

The ambassador said Spain is one of the biggest economies in Europe after it has recently survived its economic and financial crises.

He made it clear that both countries could bolster cooperation in various industrial domains, especially the automobile industry, railway and renewable energy.

In this regard, the ambassador said a Spanish company is currently carrying out a project to generate wind power from in Jabal el Zeit region at total investments of 120 million euros.

The Spanish industry minister took part in the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC) in Sharm El Sheikh during which he asserted his country's backing for Egypt in its war against terrorism.

He said as many as 20 Spanish companies are willing to set up investments in Egypt in the fields of energy, services, engineering and infrastructure.