Egypt’s President Sisi flies to France for G7 summit

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in the French seaside town of Biarritz on Saturday to take part in the G7 summit, a presidential spokesman said.

Sisi, who holds the rotating presidency of the 55-nation African Union, is due to give a speech during the gathering which will address the partnership between the G7 countries and Africa, as well as achieving peace and sustainable development on the continent, spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron, the summit host, wants the leaders of the G7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, to focus on defending democracy, education, gender equality and the environment at this meeting.

He has invited leaders from African, Asian and Latin American countries to the three-day event to be part of a global push on these issues.

Sisi’s spokesman said the gathering will also tackle international security and counterterrorism efforts, measures to combat human trafficking and illegal migration, and women’s empowerment in Africa.

During his stay, Sisi is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral talks with heads of state to discuss joint ties and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Source: Ahram Online