Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will visit Britain at the start of November, Middle East Eye revealed.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed Tuesday evening that Sisi will come to the UK for a visit after receiving an official invitation from the British government. He is expected to meet with UK Prime Minister David Cameron once here.
The FCO would not confirm an exact date for Sisi’s arrival but said that it would take place during the first week of November.
The invitation for bilateral talks was originally extended by Cameron back in June. His team, said that the PM would raise “matters of concern” during the visit, although the meeting failed to materialise, possibly due to worries raised by human rights groups, lawyers and activists. In July, 44 British MPs also signed an early day motion calling on the government not to invite Sisi.
The motion noted “that this House is dismayed that the Prime Minister has extended an official invitation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to visit the UK”.
However, relations between Cairo and London have warmed this year.
In March, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond led a “strong” British delegation to an international conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, aimed at attracting foreign contracts and investment.
According to the Foreign Office, Britain is the largest single investor in Egypt and makes up almost 50 percent of all foreign direct investment. A string of British companies including British Gas, Vodafone, and WH Smith have strong working relations with Egypt.
“Britain’s commitment is not just about three days in Sharm el-Sheikh but about having a permanent presence at the heart of Egypt’s economy,” UK’s Ambassador to Egypt John Casson said at the time.
Relations between Cairo and London have warmed this year.
In March, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond led a “strong” British delegation to an international conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, aimed at attracting foreign contracts and investment.
According to the Foreign Office, Britain is the largest single investor in Egypt and makes up almost 50 percent of all foreign direct investment. A string of British companies including British Gas, Vodafone, and WH Smith have strong working relations with Egypt.
“Britain’s commitment is not just about three days in Sharm el-Sheikh but about having a permanent presence at the heart of Egypt’s economy,” UK’s Ambassador to Egypt John Casson said at the time.
Despite human rights concerns President Sisi travelled to Germany back in June when he controversially brought 140 high-profile supporters in an apparent attempt to highlight his popularity. He also visited France in November 2014 and has since penned a series of high-profile arms deals with Paris.
