CAIRO, March 23 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Abdelatty said Sunday relations between Egypt and the European Union (EU) are deeply-rooted.

During a joint press conference the foreign minister held with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Abdelatty welcomed the EU official on her first visit to Egypt since assuming her position.

The visit coincides with the challenges faced and the ongoing coordination between the two sides on regional and international issues.

He said that relations between Egypt and the EU rose last year to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, noting that the two sides are working to further strengthen relations.

The foreign minister added that the discussions with the EU official addressed the six axes of the strategic partnership.

It was agreed to hold the first Egyptian-European summit this year, chaired by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

Abdelatty pointed out that they also agreed to activate the economic and trade axis, increasing access to Egyptian goods and the importance of building on the outcomes of the Egyptian-European Investment Conference held last year.

They also agreed to hold the second edition in Brussels in conjunction with the Egyptian-European summit. (MORE)

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