Cairo:Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty engaged in discussions with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola to explore ways to boost bilateral cooperation and address regional issues.According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting emphasized the strong relations between Egypt and South Africa, with hopes for further development in trade, economic, and investment sectors as directed by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Abdelatty highlighted the significant role of the newly launched Egyptian-South African Business Council in strengthening business ties and advancing collaborative projects.The ministers discussed the importance of intensifying cooperation between Egyptian and South African companies, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, transport, and industry, to enhance trade and investment. They also shared views on regional developments, including the situation in Sudan , the Horn of Africa, the Palestinian issue, Libya, and the Sahel region, emphasizing the need for continued coordination in international forums.They advocated for supporting peace, security, and development efforts across Africa and agreed on mutual support for candidates in international organizations. Additionally, they committed to maintaining coordination within the BRICS group to support its economic and development objectives.The meeting concluded with the signing of an agreement establishing the Egypt-South Africa Joint Higher Committee, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing agreements in political, economic, trade, investment, and development fields.