CAIRO/LIBREVILLE, Dec 27 (MENA) - Upon President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty had a meeting with Gabon's President Brice Oligui Nguema at the presidential palace in the capital, Libreville.

The foreign minister conveyed President Sisi's greetings to the president of Gabon, stressing Egypt's keenness on promoting cooperation with Gabon in light of distinguished ties between the two countries.

Abdelatty stressed the importance of building on the momentum witnessed in Egyptian-Gabonese ties following the Gabonese president's recent visit to Cairo in November.

He asserted Egypt’s full support for the path of the transitional stage in Gabon, offering congratulations on the success of the constitutional referendum that was held and approved in Gabon on November 16.

Abdelatty stressed the importance of shoring up economic cooperation between the two countries via beefing up the volume of trade exchange and investments.

He underlined the promising opportunities for Egyptian companies to contribute to development projects in Gabon.

He further noted that he was accompanied by representatives of major Egyptian companies to discuss investment opportunities in the construction, infrastructure, energy, pharmaceutical, housing and communications sectors.

He also reviewed bilateral cooperation in many projects that have already been carried out in Gabon, including "Hospital Egypto-Gabonais" in Libreville. The hospital is considered a successful example of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Abdelatty expressed Egypt's readiness to provide technical support, technology transfer, and capacity building to increase the capabilities of Gabonese national cadres in various domains.

The meeting was attended by Khaled el-Anani, the candidate for the post of UNESCO director-general.

President Nguema asked Abdelatty to convey his greetings to President Sisi, expressing his deep appreciation for the hospitality he received during his recent visit to Egypt.

He lauded the role of Egypt's political leadership in supporting stability and development in Africa, saying Gabon looks forward to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in different domains.

During the meeting, he also announced his decision to withdraw the Gabonese candidate in the UNESCO race in appreciation of President Sisi and express Gabon’s full support for Khaled el-Anani in the nomination race.

The Gabonese government issued an official statement in which it called for supporting the Egyptian candidate. (MENA)
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