French Senate president to visit Egypt Sunday to discuss strategic partnership

President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher will pay a visit to Egypt Sunday to mull the two countries' strategic and economic partnership, as well as joint efforts exerted to confront terrorism, a statement by the French Senate said Friday.

During his several-day visit, Larcher is scheduled to meet with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the pivotal role played by Egypt to achieve stability in the region, the statement said.

Larcher's visit to Cairo also aims to restore ties that were cut off during the period from 2011 to 2013 between the French Senate and the Egyptian newly elected House of Representatives, it added.

He will also meet with a number of senior officials, including Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, House Speaker Ali Abdel Aal, Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul Gheit, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese, and Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, the statement said.

Five senators will accompany Larcher, including Catherine Morin-Desailly, the chairperson of the Senate's Committee on Culture, Education and Communication and the Egyptian-French Friendship Group.

Source: MENA