Cairo: Egyptian leaders discussed energy and investment with Qatar’s Amir, who was in Cairo for the first time since the country regained relations after a Saudi-led crack on Saturday. According to the Egyptian Presidential Statement, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Altani told President Abdel Fatta al-Sisi, his country “maximized Qatar’s investment in Egypt and the enormous investment available. He is enthusiastic about taking advantage of opportunities.
The pair discussed developing cooperation “in various areas, especially in the areas of energy and agriculture,” and in trade and investment, “especially the flow of Qatar’s investment in Egypt,” the statement added. In late March, Cairo announced that gas-rich Gulf countries would invest $ 5 billion in Egypt. At the same time, Qatar’s state-owned oil company, Qatar’s hydrocarbon giant, announced an agreement with ExxonMobil to acquire a 40% stake in a gas exploration block off Egypt in the Mediterranean.
No new agreement was announced during Amir’s two-day trip to Cairo for the first time since 2015, ending on Saturday. After the restoration of relations between Egypt and Qatar in January 2021, Sisi and Qatar Amir met only twice. Bystanders of the summit abroad. Egypt joined Saudi Arabia and its Gulf countries, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, in June 2017 to break ties with Qatar.
According to the Egyptian President, the chief also “praised Egypt’s continued efforts for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.” Both Doha and Cairo – major US allies in the Middle East – have provided reconstruction assistance to the territory and have been involved in mediation efforts between the Zionist organization and the Islamic ruler Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to a presidential statement, the two leaders welcomed next month’s Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia, which will also be attended by leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the United States.
Amir’s visit will take place just days after Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducts a regional tour of Egypt, Jordan and Turkey this week. Companies in Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed a total of $ 7.7 billion worth of agreements during their visit, state media said. – AFP
