Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
On March 23, Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received his Singaporean counterpart, Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, as part of his visit to Egypt, which will last on March 22 and 23.
Ambassador Ahmed Abou Zeid, official spokesman and director of the public diplomacy department at the Ministry of foreign affairs, pointed out that the meeting discussed the distinguished bilateral relations between Egypt and Singapore, which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years. The two ministries stressed the importance of maintaining this positive development, which reflects the depth of historical relations between the two countries.
In this context, Foreign Minister Shoukry stressed Egypt’s great interest in enhancing the benefit of Singaporean companies from investment opportunities in Egypt, especially in major projects such as the Suez Canal development axis, which includes huge investment opportunities in logistics, port management and transit trade, an area in which Singapore enjoys great comparative advantages.
In another context, the Singaporean Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation with Egypt, stressing his country’s commitment to enhancing trade exchange and investments in Egypt, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations and promoting common prosperity. He expressed Singapore’s ambition to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy, agriculture and tourism sectors, focusing on developing cooperation mechanisms and strengthening partnership between the private sectors of the two countries, reflecting the promising potential for growth and development.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid stressed that the meeting witnessed a detailed discussion of a number of regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in the Gaza Strip. The two ministers stressed the importance of pushing the efforts of calm and work towards a permanent ceasefire, stressing the vital role of Egypt in facilitating the access of humanitarian aid and mediation to achieve stability in the region and bring peace.
In another context, Foreign Minister Shoukry expressed Egypt’s deep concern over the continued worsening of the tragic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, reiterating its categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace the population and any moves aimed at manipulating the question of Palestine. He also expressed his condemnation of any attempt to attack the Palestinian city of Rafah, stressing the right of Palestinians to live in safety and dignity within their lands.
The discussion also dealt with the repercussions of the current crisis on the security of the Red Sea, stressing the seriousness of the current situation on the Egyptian economy and the security and stability of the region, in addition to its negative effects on the global economy. The two ministers stressed the importance of maintaining a safe and sustainable flow of traffic in the Suez Canal, and the Singaporean minister also pointed out that this is one of his country’s primary interests, given the role of the canal in transferring trade to Europe.
At the end of the meeting, they stressed the importance of maintaining communication and strengthening bilateral cooperation programs, as well as increasing consultation on regional and international issues of mutual interest, with the aim of achieving stability and peace in the region and preventing the aggravation of humanitarian and economic crises.
