France’s ambassador to Cairo, Stephane Roumtier, said his country has taken a clear stance by deciding to be a strategic partner of Egypt following President's Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Paris this week, MENA state news agency reported on Friday.

 

Roumtier said that President Emmanuel Macron made clear his stance that Paris would cooperate with Cairo on fighting terrorism, as well as in supporting Cairo's economic reform programme.

 

The visit saw the signing of agreements worth 440 million euros to finance several development projects in Egypt.

 

Roumtier stressed the need to further boost economic relations and the presence of French companies in Egypt.

 

The ambassador also said that a delegation of representatives of French companies is set to visit Egypt in November under the auspices of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), the largest employer federation in the country.

 

He added that French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire is likely to visit Egypt next spring to discuss expanding trade and economic cooperation between both countries.

 

El-Sisi has returned to Cairo on Friday after concluding a four day visit to France, where he met with Macron for the first time since the latter’s election in May 2017.