French Envoy to the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) summit Alain Holleville said Egypt’s role in Africa is pivotal.

During a meeting Sunday with Ambassador Suha Gendy, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director of the African Organizations and Gatherings Department, the French diplomat discussed an array of issues related to the upcoming EU-AU summit that will be held in Brussels on Thursday.

A statement published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page on Facebook said Holleville underscored the importance of continued coordination between the two countries, especially that France is the current EU chairman, with a view to rendering the summit a success.

He also highlighted distinguished ties binding Egypt and France, in addition to a new European financing mechanism that would help accelerate implementation of a number of joint African ventures.

For her part, the Egyptian diplomat underscored the importance Cairo has attached to the gathering, along with the European-African strategic partnership.

She also said climate change and energy issues will top Egypt’s agenda during the gathering, especially that Egypt will host the upcoming 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC, to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, in November and its role in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Gendy pointed out to the importance of upgrading the infrastructure in Africa: being a priority to economic integrity, together with the necessity of equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines and approving vaccination certificates for all those inoculated with the World Health Organization (WHO) licensed vaccinations.

Source: State Information Service Egypt