CAIRI, Feb 23 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reviewed during a phone call Sunday with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot a comprehensive plan being developed by Egypt for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip with Palestinians remaining on their land, along with Arab support for Egyptian efforts in this regard.

The Egyptian foreign minister said he is looking forward to the support of the international community and the European Union (EU) countries, including France, for Egyptian efforts in this respect,
Official Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador Tamim Khalaf said.

The phone call took up ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and the latest regional developments, the spokesman added.

The Egyptian minister lauded distinguished ties binding Egypt and France, voicing hope the two sides would further promote bilateral cooperation in the various fields, he noted.

According to the spokesman, Egypt and France shed light on the importance of encouraging French investments in Egypt, especially that Egypt has adopted major steps to further lure more foreign investments into the country.

The foreign minister also voiced appreciation of France's support to Egypt through its role in the EU, with a view to putting Egyptian-EU comprehensive strategic partnership agreement into effect, he said.

Abdelatty voiced hoped the EU would approve the disbursement of the second tranche worth 4 billion euros mobilized for Egypt, the spokesman added.

The phone contact also dwelt upon the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, the spokesman said, adding that Abdelatti posted the French minister on Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire and ensure flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

For his part, the French minister praised the important and pivotal role played by Egypt in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and welcomed Egypt's tireless efforts to formulate an all-out vision for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

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