Alexandria: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the importance of continuing efforts to enhance cooperation with France in different fields. The President pointed out that such cooperation is needed in trade, investment, education, industry, and transport domains to serve the mutual interests of both countries and strengthen ties between Egypt and the European Union. The remarks came during Sisi’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new Senghor University campus in Borg El Arab City in Alexandria.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said Sisi welcomed Macron’s visit to Egypt, describing it as a reflection of the distinguished ties between the two countries and praising the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, particularly after they were promoted to the level of a strategic partnership during Macron’s visit to Egypt in April 2025. Macron expressed his pleasure at visiting Egypt once again and congratulated Sisi on the inauguration of the university’s new headquarters, describing it as an academic edifice that promotes scientific and cultural cooperation among member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
The two leaders also discussed regional developments, as Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts to contain current tensions and stressed the need to spare the region further escalation and instability due to their negative repercussions on regional and international security, as well as global supply chains and trade movement. The talks also tackled the Palestinian cause, as Sisi highlighted Egypt’s efforts to consolidate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and ensure the implementation of the second phase commitments, while emphasizing the importance of facilitating humanitarian aid access and launching early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Sisi reiterated that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital remains the only path toward lasting peace, in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution. The discussions further covered developments in Lebanon and means for enhancing cooperation among Mediterranean countries to achieve shared prosperity and stability.