Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Italian Prime Minister, "Matteo Renzi" spoke by phone this afternoon, the Egyptian presidency said.

The President expressed his sincere condolences to the Italian Prime Minister and to the Government and the people of Italy on the death of the Italian citizen, "Giulio Regeni," who passed away in Egypt recently. President Sisi has also expressed his deep condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Regeni.

President El Sisi stressed that the Egyptian competent authorities attach the outmost attention to investigating the incident, and that the Egyptian Ministry of Interior is instructed to continue its efforts ,in cooperation with the Public Prosecution, so as to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident and follow up on all the circumstances surrounding it. The President stressed that the Italian side will find the necessary cooperation by the Egyptian competent authorities in this regard.

The Italian Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the president on his deep condolences. Mr. Renzi lauded the positive spirit of cooperation that the Egyptian side shows in dealing with the incident, noting that this position reflects the friendly relations that bind the two countries and their peoples.

The two sides confirm, during the phone call, the need to enhance and further develop economic cooperation. They reviewed the positive results of the important meetings held by the Italian business delegation, headed by the Italian minister of economic development during her recent visit to Egypt, which demonstrated the huge prospects of economic cooperation between the two countries.

They stressed their commitment to work together against terrorism, and to confront extremism and violence as well as to prevent the proliferation of the terrorist groups in several countries in the region. They highlighted the importance of stepping up efforts to consolidate the stability and security of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, particularly in Libya. Both sides reassured the importance of forming the National unity government, as an important stepping-stone towards establishing a new Libya.