By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with MENA
Published on 2024-01-20 10:51:14
During the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry engaged in a meeting with Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik. In discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation, the ministers focused on areas of mutual interest such as heavy industry, railways, food processing, and mechanized agriculture sectors.
According to Foreign Minister spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, both sides committed to advancing the next session of the joint higher committee between the two countries during the first half of the year. Shoukry lauded the frequency of high-level visits between Egypt and Belarus, noting President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to Minsk in June 2019 and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s two visits to Egypt in 2017 and 2020. Shoukry also extended an invitation for President Sisi to visit Belarus again.
The ministers welcomed the upcoming third meeting of the Belarusian-Egyptian Working Group for Cooperation in the Industrial Field in July 2023, and Cairo’s hosting of the 7th session of the Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation in November 2023.
Additionally, both ministers agreed to explore the possibility of direct flights between Egypt and Belarus, aiming to establish regular flights between Cairo and Minsk as well as connecting the Belarusian capital with Egyptian tourist resorts. This initiative is intended to boost tourism and increase the number of Belarusian tourist arrivals in Egypt in the near future.
Shoukry also briefed his Belarusian counterpart on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s significant role in ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. Additionally, Shoukry emphasized Egypt’s efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire and highlighted the potential dangers to regional security and stability should the conflict continue to escalate.
This meeting between Shoukry and Aleinik underscores the commitment of both countries to expanding their cooperation across various sectors, with a focus on enhancing economic, trade, and tourism ties.
Read the original article on Egypt Independent
