Slovakian, Egyptian FMs discuss fostering mutual ties, international issues

Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak will discuss with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on Sunday in Cairo issues of mutual concern including fostering the Egyptian-EU relations, the latest developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen, the peace process in the Middle East and the refugee crisis.

It is Lajcak's second visit to Egypt in five months.

In exclusive statements to MENA, Lajcak, who is also Slovakia’s candidate for the position of United Nations secretary-general, said that he will also meet with the Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit to discuss issues of mutual concern.

He added that his visit aims to boost economic and trade relations with Egypt. 

He said that his country can help Egypt in eliminating unemployment and raising the standard of living especially via cooperating in the fields of energy, water management, agriculture, industry, environment protection, information technology, communications, tourism, medicine and therapeutic products.

A cooperation agreement in science, education, culture and sports is expected to be signed between Egypt and Slovakia, the minster added.

Meanwhile, he said that if he was elected United Nations secretary-general, he will aim to entrench the norms of peace, international laws, sustainable development and the UN multilateral system as well as work on eliminating poverty and terrorism.

Lajcak also said that British vote to withdraw from the EU asserts that the union is not meeting the British people’s needs.

He added that Bratislava is expected to host a unofficial summit for the EU leaderships on September 16 to discuss the union’s future.

Source: MENA