CAIRO, Dec 4 (MENA) - Egypt and Uganda issued on Wednesday a joint declaration on the occasion of Ugandan Minister of International Relations Henry Oryem Okello' visit to Egypt.

The declaration was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Okello.

According to the joint declaration, the two sides agreed to hold consultations at the ministerial level following a message by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to his Ugandan counterpart on October 31.

The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral relations and discussed developments at regional, continental and international levels with the aim of strengthening bilateral and African interests.

Within this context, they addressed the current situation in East Africa, including the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region and exchanged viewpoints on ways to restore peace and stability in the area.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence in line with the statute of the African Union and the UN Charter.

The two sides agreed on maintaining regular consultations and exchanging visits at various levels to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, security, law enforcement, peacebuilding, and counterterrorism domains.

They also agreed on exchanging expertise and technical cooperation in water resources management and capacity-building in cooperation with the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development, the Egyptian International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding, the Egyptian Diplomatic Studies Institute, and Uganda's Diplomatic and National Defense Colleges.

They also agreed on enhancing cooperation to boost regional economic development and integration and achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

According to the declaration, Egypt reiterated its readiness to pump additional investments and contribute to the implementation of infrastructure projects in Uganda.

The two sides also agreed on encouraging the private sectors in both Egypt and Uganda to increase bilateral trade and investment through business visits and investment showcases and on engaging in regular consultations on Nile water issues to reach an agreement that ensures mutual benefit in accordance with international law.

Building on the successful model of the Owen Dam project and the aquatic weed control project, Egypt promised to support development projects in Uganda according to the country’s priorities.

They agreed on holding the second round of consultations in Kampala during the first quarter of 2025 and the third session of the Joint Ministerial Committee between Egypt and Uganda. (MENA)
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