CAIRO, April 29 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's readiness to provide all forms of support to Angola, particularly in the areas of development and capacity-building in the sectors related to police, defense, health, media, tourism, agriculture, anti-corruption, and renewable energy.

Egypt is also ready to back the development of the state institutions in Angola, he asserted.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Angolan President João Lourenço on Tuesday following their closed session of talks at El-Ittihadiya Palace, President Sisi said the Angolan leader’s visit comes to confirm the strong historical ties between Egypt and Angola, which date back to the 1960s.

These relations have formed a solid foundation for a constructive partnership between the two countries, President Sisi added.

He further noted that the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries will be celebrated in November.

President Sisi described as "fruitful and constructive" talks with the Angolan president, saying they shared identical views and a political will to consolidate bilateral ties, in a way that serves the interests of the two countries' peoples.

During the talks, President Sisi said that they agreed on the need to boost cooperation in various fields, particularly in the political, economic, and investment ones, and intensifying joint efforts to shore up relations.

A number of memoranda of understanding were signed in the areas of communications, IT, housing, and infrastructure, a matter that will contribute to strengthening the frameworks of bilateral cooperation in these areas, he added.

They also discussed opportunities for cooperation between both countries within the framework of the Lobito Strategic Corridor Project, the president said, considering this project a promising axis for development in Africa and a fundamental pillar for joint cooperation in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

During their meeting, they discussed President Lourenço's wise vision for holding the African Union's presidency this year, and exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest in Africa, including the Horn of Africa, Sudan, the fight against terrorism, and the situation in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

President Sisi expressed his deep appreciation for President Lourenço's key role in mediating a resolution for the crisis in eastern DRC.

President Sisi noted that during their talks, they stressed the necessity of adopting unified African stances on various international issues and ensuring Africa's fair representation in international institutions, particularly within the framework of efforts to reform and expand the UN Security Council.

He noted that they agreed on the importance of speeding up the institutional reform process of the AU.

At the end of the press conference, President Sisi asserted Egypt's full commitment to strengthening cooperation with Angola for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples, and for "our great African continent". (MENA)
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