Egypt Daily News – President Sisi received a phone call on Saturday from French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries as part of preparations for Macron’s upcoming visit to Egypt.
The Egyptian presidency stated in a statement that “the call included discussions on the key areas of cooperation to be addressed during the visit, with the possibility of holding a trilateral summit involving Egypt, France, and Jordan in Cairo.”
The call also addressed the developments in Gaza, where the Egyptian efforts to achieve a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of civilians were reviewed.
Both Presidents emphasized the urgent need to restore calm immediately and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, stressing the importance of the two-state solution as a path to achieving peace and stability in the region.
The Élysée Palace announced last Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron would take advantage of his visit to Egypt next week to visit an area near Gaza. He will head to the Egyptian city of Al-Arish, according to French media.
The Élysée Palace added that President Macron will meet on Tuesday with humanitarian and security workers there to reaffirm his “ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
Al-Arish is a point of transit for international aid headed to Gaza, but no food or other supplies have been allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza since the suspension of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement last month.
President Macron will visit Egypt on Sunday and will meet with President Sisi on Monday. Egypt has played a key role as a mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas since Hamas launched Operation “Al-Aqsa Deluge” on October 7, 2023. During his visit to Egypt, Macron will stress the “urgent need” to secure a new ceasefire to prevent the residents of Gaza from facing a “humanitarian disaster,” and he will call for an end to Israeli airstrikes and the release of Israeli detainees in Gaza, according to a statement from the French president’s office.
During President Macron’s visit to Egypt, a draft agreement will also be signed to provide medical care for Palestinian casualties who have been evacuated from Gaza.
