Egypt, France discuss developing military ties

Egypt’s Minister of Defence Sedky Sobhi met yesterday with France’s Chief of Defence Staff Pierre de Villiers in Cairo where they discussed reinforcing military cooperation between the two countries, Ahram Online reported, quoting a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces.

The statement added that the unannounced meeting was attended by de Villiers along with his accompanying French military delegation, Egyptian Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazy and other senior officials of the Egyptian military.

Both officials discussed a number of issues of common interest in light of military relations between the two countries, in addition to ways of strengthening cooperation under the protocols of understanding signed between Egypt and France to cooperate in the areas of defence armament, training, transfer and exchange of military expertise between the Egyptian and French armed forces.

The meeting also touched on the latest developments in the region, the current regional and international challenges, and efforts towards achieving peace and maintaining security and stability for all the nations in the region, according to the defence ministry’s statement.

On his part, de Villiers praised the important role Egypt is playing in fighting terrorism and radicalisation in the Middle East, according to France’s perspective.

Since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi took power in 2014, the country has been experiencing improved relations with France where both countries share concerns about the rise of extremist groups in Libya and Egypt.

In the past two years, Egypt signed various military agreements with France, including a $5.9 billion deal supplying 24 Rafale fighters and another $1.1 billion deal to provide Egypt with two Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

Relations between Egypt and France were also strengthened after French President Francois Hollande’s visit to Cairo last April, during which he signed 30 agreements with his Egyptian counterpart.