Egypt's Ambassador in Berlin Badr Abdel Aati said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry's upcoming visit to Germany is of great importance.

Expected here later today, Shoukry will, during his two-day visit, discuss with German officials means to entrench joint strategic goals, Abdel Aati said in statements to MENA correspondent in Berlin. 

Relations between the two countries have taken an upturn since President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's latest visit to the European country in June 2015, the diplomat said. 

Exchanged visits and contacts reflect the strength of Egyptian-German ties at all levels, he noted. 

He called Germany the "engine" of the European Union, the same way Egypt is of the Middle East. 

Berlin greatly appreciates the role played by Egypt in the Middle East and sees it as a strategic ally in the region, Abdel Aati said.

Egypt is also a key player in efforts to reach peaceful solutions to the crises in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and to fight terrorism, the diplomat further said.

He added that Egypt is the first defense line of the EU. 

During the visit, Shourky will hold talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Abdel Aati said.

Shoukry will also meet with the German ministers of interior, Karl Ernst Thomas de Maizière, to activate a joint security agreement between the two countries, he added. 

He will also get together with Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel to discuss encouraging investments in Egypt.

Source: MENA