Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt supports Eritrea in restoring its Arab and African role in light of the latest positive developments in Eritrea’s relationship with Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti.

Shoukry, in a meeting with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Thursday 13/09/2018, conveyed a verbal message from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in which he expressed Egypt’s appreciation of the longstanding bilateral relationship and hope for promoting cooperation in the various domains, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh hosted a working luncheon for his Egyptian counterpart after his meeting with Afwerki.

The Egyptian-Eritrean talks focused on the latest developments in the Horn of Africa, Egypt’s interest in promoting peace and security in the area and comprehensive regional cooperation.

Afwerki affirmed the centrality of Egypt’s role in the Horn of Africa and importance in achieving peace and security in the region.

Shoukry and Afwerki also probed the issue of Red Sea security and developments in South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, the issue of the Renaissance Dam and Egypt’s upcoming chairmanship of the African Union.

Abu Zeid said Afwerki’s visit to Egypt in January this year gave great impetus to the bilateral relationship.

The past months have witnessed the signing of six agreements to promote cooperation in the fields of health, electricity, agriculture and trade, he added.

MENA