Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi met on Sunday a delegation from the defence and foreign relations committee from Kenya’s parliament during their visit to Cairo, the Egyptian presidency announced in a statement.
The delegation headed by Kenyan MP Ndung’u Gethenji discussed with the Egyptian president bilateral relations between the two countries as well the anticipated relations between the parliaments of the respective countries when Egypt elects a house of representatives, expected to be complete by the end of the year, Egyptian presidency spokesperson Alaa Youssef stated.
During the meeting the Egyptian president praised the progress of Egyptian and Kenyan economic relations. El-Sisi also stressed that Kenya is considered an important commercial partner with Egypt in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa “COMESA”.
El-Sisi stated that to achieve development in Egypt it is necessary for it to be able to secure sources of water and energy, hinting to the importance of the Nile river.
He also expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Kenya’s support for an agreement between the Nile river basin countries that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
The head of the Kenyan parliamentary delegation Ndung’u Gethenji stressed that his country’s position regarding the common interests of all Nile river basin countries is not to harm any nations interests. The meeting also included talks about counter-terrorism efforts, with the Kenyan delegation praising the role played by Al-Azhar in fighting radicalism in Africa.
The Kenyan ambassador in Egypt also attended the meeting.
source : Ahram Online
