France’s Macron hosts close ally Egypt’s al-Sisi in Paris to discuss security and defence ties
- The French president met his Egyptian counterpart at the Elysee Palace to discuss the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global food supplies
- Egypt will host the COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in November and Macron and al-Sisi also discussed the fight against global warming
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday met Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Paris for their latest talks aimed at tightening a relationship based on security and defence ties that has troubled activists.
Macron hosted the Egyptian president at the Elysee Palace days after hosting UAE leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, himself a close ally of Sisi’s secular administration.
With growing concern over the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global food supplies, the pair discussed ways to deal with the “economic, energy and global food security consequences of this conflict”, the Elysee said in a statement.
Egypt is scheduled to host the COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in November and Macron and Sisi also discussed the fight against global warming.
“The two presidents took stock of the main issues of bilateral cooperation, which are very dense in all areas,” it added.
Last year, Egypt’s military ordered 30 more Rafale jets from French defence firm Dassault Aviation in a multibillion-dollar defence deal confirmed by France.
Macron has during his rule placed considerable emphasis on relations with Egypt and during a state visit in December 2020 gave Sisi France’s highest award, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, in a move that left rights activists aghast.