Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna held talks in Cairo on Thursday to strengthen bilateral ties and address regional challenges. The two ministers exchanged views on the Palestinian issue, which has seen renewed violence and tensions in recent weeks. They reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution and the resumption of negotiations between the parties.
They also discussed the situation in Libya, where heavy rains have caused severe flooding and killed thousands of people. Shoukry expressed his condolences to the Libyan people and praised their resilience in the face of multiple crises. He reiterated Egypt’s commitment to the stability and unity of Libya, as well as the implementation of the political roadmap agreed upon by the Libyan parties.
Colonna also conveyed her condolences to the Moroccan nation, which suffered a devastating earthquake that struck near the city of Al Hoceima last week. The quake left hundreds dead and injured and damaged many buildings and infrastructure. Colonna said France stands with Morocco in this difficult time and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance.
The two ministers also touched upon the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has escalated into a global security threat. Colonna said Egypt has been greatly affected by the rise in food insecurity caused by the conflict, as well as the influx of refugees from neighboring countries. She praised Egypt’s role as a regional leader and a key partner for France in addressing these challenges.
Shoukry and Colonna also reviewed the bilateral cooperation between Egypt and France, especially in the fields of trade, investment, culture, education, and defense. They agreed to enhance their strategic partnership and work together for the benefit of their peoples and the region. The meeting was part of Colonna’s regional tour, which also included visits to Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. She said her trip aimed to reaffirm France’s engagement and solidarity with its allies in the Middle East, as well as to promote peace and stability in the region.
Egypt and France have had a long-standing relationship that dates back to the Middle Ages. The French occupation of Egypt between 1798 and 1801 marked a significant milestone in the history of the two countries. Since then, the relationship between Egypt and France has been marked by conflicts such as the Algerian War (1954-1962) and the Suez Crisis (1956) . However, despite these challenges, the two countries have maintained strong bilateral ties that have spanned decade.
Since then, the relations between Egypt and France have become strong and consist of shared cultural activities such as the France-Egypt Cultural Year, tourism, diplomatic missions, trade, and a close political relationship. Institutions like the Institut d’Égypte, the French Institute in Egypt, and the French University of Egypt (UFE) also aid in promoting cultural exchange between Egypt and France
Source: Â Al-Ahram Weekly
