CAIRO, Jan 18 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty underlined the need to maintain consultations between Egypt and Nigeria for improving the African Union's performance, especially when it comes to promoting governance, budgeting and administration issues, as well as deploying the new AU Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).

Abdelatty made the remarks following the 3rd round of political talks with his Nigerian counterpart Yusuf Tuggar, held for the first time at the ministerial level on Saturday, with the participation of the ministers of finance and agriculture, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf.

Abdelatty said this round of talks offered an opportunity to explore opportunities in promising cooperation areas to bring about a significant shift in bilateral relations, which demonstrates a joint political will and commitment to enhance cooperation on all bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual concern, especially those related to regional peace and security, given the common challenges shared by both countries, atop of which is the growing threat of cross-border terrorism.

Applauding the strong ties binding both countries, the minister said Cairo attaches great importance to scaling up trade and investment cooperation, to level up to the two countries' leading position as two of the top economies in the continent, the spokesman said.

He also highlighted the responsibility shared by both countries for improving prospects of joint cooperation as a shining model for regional cooperation and continental integration.

Today's consultations covered a wide range of regional and international issues of mutual interest, topped by the situation in the Horn of Africa, security of navigation in the Red Sea, as well as the situation in Somalia and Sudan, the spokesman noted.

Abdelatty briefed the Nigerian official on the sedulous efforts made by Egypt to hammer out the ceasefire and prisoner-swap deal in Gaza, which has been declared on Wednesday.

Abdelatty emphasized the importance of executing the multiphase deal in a duly manner.

The ministers concluded their talks by signing a joint declaration on the third round of joint political consultations. They also inked an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, the spokesman pointed out.

AMISOM is a peace keeping mission operated by the AU in Somalia with approval by the UN. (MENA)

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