French President Francois Hollande (R) welcomes Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 13, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)
French President Francois Hollande said a visit by his Egyptian counterpart to the French capital late last year marked a new beginning in strategic ties between both countries.
Hollande made his remarks during an unscheduled meeting with Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, according to Egypt's state news agency MENA, as part of the latter's visit to Paris that concluded Wednesday.
Hollande said the two countries will witness a new phase of military, economic and investment relations. He added that an arms deal between the two countries sealed in February, whereby Paris sold Rafale jets and other hardware to Cairo, will usher in further cooperation.
MENA said the meeting was not originally included in the visit's agenda.
During the talks, Mahlab and the French leader discussed Islamist extremism and improving bilateral ties. They also looked at migration, the conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the government said.
The Egyptian Premier also met with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls where they signed a pollution, technical education and transport accord. He also held talks with other French government officials, including defence minister Jean-Yves le Drian, where the latter promised the timely delivery of a Frigate and ten Rafale fighter jets.
On the economic front, a delegation of French business executives are planning to pay a visit to Egypt in June to look at available investment opportunities, according to Hollande.
In November 2014, El-Sisi held talks with Hollande in Paris, in what was the Egyptian leader's first European trip as the country's top official. The visit saw both leaders agree on investments worth millions of euros in Egypt.
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