AIRO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday held talks with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest.
"Egypt considers its partnership with Germany pivotal to Egypt's relations with Europe, given Germany's position and leverage as a major European country," Sisi said during the meeting held in the capital of Cairo, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The Egyptian president hailed the participation of German companies in development projects in Egypt in recent years and welcomed their further investments in the North African country.
For her part, Baerbock said that Germany values its distinguished relations with Egypt, which she described as "a cornerstone for stability and balance in the Middle East and Africa."
Sisi and Baerbock stressed the consensus between Cairo and Berlin "to continue coordination and consultation between Egypt and Germany to face the current challenges in the region, mainly the Palestinian issue and the situation in Libya," the statement added.
Baerbock's visit to Cairo came as part of her Middle East tour during which she visited Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, in the hope of revitalizing the Middle East peace process between Israel and Palestine. ■
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) meets with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Cairo Feb. 12, 2022. Annalena Baerbock's visit to Cairo is part of her Middle East tour including Israel, Palestine and Jordan, in a hope to help revitalize the Palestine-Israel peace process. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attend a joint press conference after their meeting in Cairo Feb. 12, 2022. Annalena Baerbock's visit to Cairo is part of her Middle East tour including Israel, Palestine and Jordan, in a hope to help revitalize the Palestine-Israel peace process. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (unseen) after their meeting in Cairo Feb. 12, 2022. Annalena Baerbock's visit to Cairo is part of her Middle East tour including Israel, Palestine and Jordan, in a hope to help revitalize the Palestine-Israel peace process. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)