The Foreign Minister discusses with the President of Uganda the expansion of the Egyptian Medical Center and increasing the volume of investment.

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of his participation in the second extraordinary summit of troop-contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on the instructions of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The meeting witnessed discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, in addition to exchanging views on a number of regional issues of common interest, within the framework of ongoing coordination between Cairo and Kampala to support security and stability in the African continent.

Emphasis on the strength of historical relations

The Foreign Minister conveyed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s greetings to his Ugandan counterpart, stressing Egypt’s pride in the historical relations that bind the two countries, and praising the development that bilateral relations have witnessed recently, especially in light of the mutual visits at the highest levels.

For his part, President Yoweri Museveni expressed his appreciation to President Sisi, praising the role that Egypt plays in supporting security and stability at the African and regional levels, and stressing Uganda’s keenness to expand the horizons of cooperation with Cairo in various fields.

Expanding economic and investment cooperation

Minister Badr Abdel-Aty stressed the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries, through increasing the volume of trade exchange and encouraging joint investments, especially in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, water resources management and pharmaceutical industries.

The meeting also addressed Egypt’s efforts to expand the Egyptian Medical Center in the Ugandan city of Jinja, which will enhance cooperation in the health sector, in addition to extending an invitation to the Ugandan President to participate in the African Union Coordination Summit, which Egypt will host next October, as well as the African Business Forum that will be held on its sidelines.

Coordination on Nile water issues

The two sides discussed the issue of water security, with the Foreign Minister stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Nile Basin countries in a way that achieves common interests, while adhering to dialogue and consensus and rejecting unilateral actions that may affect the rights of the basin countries.

He also commended Uganda’s role in the Nile Basin Initiative’s consultative process, its efforts to restore consensus among member states, and its implementation of development projects that achieve common benefit in accordance with the rules of international law.

Agreement on regional issues

The two sides exchanged views on developments in a number of African issues, most notably Sudan, Somalia and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral coordination to support efforts to establish peace, stability and development on the continent.

The meeting affirmed the continuation of consultations between Egypt and Uganda on various regional issues, reflecting the two countries’ keenness to unify positions on common challenges and enhance cooperation in a way that serves security and development in Africa.