President Abdel Fattah El Sisi welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Cairo yesterday, in the first visit by a German head of state to Egypt in nearly 25 years, according to an Ittihadeya statement. The two heads of state touched on several mutual interest files, including development, investment, and cooperation in many areas such as energy, immigration, transport, counterterrorism, and other efforts made to maintain regional stability.

Gaza was rightly top of the agenda, with both presidents emphasizing the need for an immediate end to the hostilities in a joint presser yesterday (watch, runtime: 31:05. Stienmeier made particular reference to Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to work towards a ceasefire and its facilitation of aid flows into the besieged enclave.

Education was presented as an important area of cooperation, with the German head of state discussing the plans to build 93 accredited German schools in Egypt to bring the total number to 100. A higher education agreement is also set to be signed during his visit, Stienmeier added, without providing any concrete details.

Transport also got a prominent mention, with the German president giving an overview of the numerous projects that German companies are currently working on in Egypt, before revealing that another agreement will be signed during his visit in regards to the railways operation and training.

Tags: