Sameh Hassan's visit to Malaysia to elevate further ties with Egypt

KUALA LUMPUR: The three-day inaugural visit of Egypt's Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry to Malaysia starting Monday will build on the momentum of prevailing robust ties between both countries, besides reflecting mutual resolve to elevate partnership to a higher plane.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah will hold a bilateral meeting with Sameh Shoukry to advance further the longstanding and multifaceted ties between both countries.

"Both Foreign Ministers will also review regional and international developments of interest to the two countries," said the statement.

The statement said Prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will receive a courtesy call from Sameh Shoukry today, where an invitation will be extended for him to attend the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022.

"Sameh Shoukry is also scheduled to hold talks with the Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, the Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Minister of Environment and Water, Datuk Seri Tuan Man Tuan Ibrahim," it said.

The statement said the visit would also provide an opportunity for Sameh Shoukry to share Egypt's vision and objectives during its presidency of COP27.

Egypt is Malaysia's largest trading partner in north Africa. In 2021, Malaysia-Egypt total trade was valued at RM3.8 billion (US$904.1 million), a substantial increase of 84.5 per cent, compared to the recorded value in 2020.

The visit will be undertaken in full compliance with the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) put in place by the authorities of Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA