Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed with his Sri Lanka counterpart Ali Sabry boosting trade and investment relations between the two countries and recent developments in the Gaza war at a meeting on Saturday in Cairo.
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, FM Abdelatty praised during the meeting the activation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the holding of the second round of political consultations at the level of Assistant Foreign Ministers in Colombo in July 2023.
He also welcomed Sri Lanka’s relaunching of the Egyptian-Sri Lankan Parliamentary Friendship Association at the end of last year.
FM Abdelatty commended investments by major Sri Lankan companies in the ready-made garments sector in the country, inviting more Sri Lankan investors to take advantage of more promising investment opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
Minister Sabry emphasized his country’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Egypt in economic, cultural, and, combatting terrorism areas, according to the statement.
On this note, Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed to his Sri Lankan counterpart Cairo’s readiness to cooperate with Sri Lanka in combatting terrorism, citing the leading role of Al-Azhar in promoting tolerant thought as evidenced in its dispatching of imams to Sri Lankan schools and religious institutions.
Abdelatty also highlighted Cairo’s keenness to increase tourism exchange between the two countries by activating the joint memorandum of understanding signed in 2008, according to the statement.
The two ministers discussed ways for Sri Lanka to benefit from Egypt’s pioneering expertise in training cadres in the tourism and archaeological sectors.
UNESCO
Dr. Khaled El-Anany, the Egyptian candidate for the position of UNESCO Director-General, participated in part of the discussions between the two top diplomats related to his candidacy.
El-Anany’s candidacy for the top UNESCO job is supported by Arab countries and the African Union.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister praised the Egyptian candidate’s qualifications and academic credentials, pointing out that Egypt’s rich history and civilization make it well-suited for this important international position.
Gaza and the region
During the meeting, Minister Sabry also sought Minister Abdelatty’s assessment of several regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza.
FM Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, aiming for a sustainable ceasefire and the release of captives and prisoners.
He reviewed Egypt’s intensive communications with various regional and international partners to mitigate the reactions of the parties involved in the crisis and prevent the conflict from expanding.
The Egyptian foreign minister also emphasized the urgency of halting the shedding of the blood of the Palestinian people.
FM Abdelatty also listened to the Sri Lankan foreign minister’s perspective on the latest developments in the Pacific and South Asia regions.
The two top diplomats signed a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Diplomatic Institute and its Sri Lankan counterpart to enhance cooperation and coordination in training and building the capacities of diplomatic personnel in both countries.
Source: Ahram Online
