Ashraf AboArafe
Today, Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, received on Wednesday, December 4, Henry Okello, Minister of International Relations of the Republic of Uganda, on an official visit to hold the second round of political consultations between Egypt and Uganda, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries and discuss issues of common interest.
Ambassador Tamim Khilaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdel Aati stressed the depth of the historical relations between Egypt and Uganda, which are based on fraternal ties and common interests in many fields, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in the economic, development, trade and investment fields to serve the interests of the two peoples. Minister Abdel Aati reviewed the extensive activity of Egyptian companies in Africa in the fields of construction, building and energy, stressing the need to update and activate mechanisms of cooperation and joint coordination to raise the level of relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership.
The two sides discussed the situation in the Great Lakes, Lake Chad Basin, Sahel and Horn of Africa regions, and the need to continue efforts aimed at combating terrorism by adopting a comprehensive strategy that addresses the security, development and intellectual dimensions of the phenomenon of terrorism, and supporting Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in training imams in Uganda, as well as eliminating organized crime that threatens the security and safety of African societies. The two ministers also discussed coordination in efforts to reform and develop the African Union, and joint work between African countries and countries of the South in facing the serious challenges in the areas of peace, security and sustainable development.
It was agreed to exchange support for nominations in regional and international forums. The two ministers discussed the issue of water security and the eternal bond that links the two countries through the Nile River, and stressed that Egypt has always supported development in the sisterly Nile Basin countries, including water projects in Uganda, including the “Owen” Dam, highlighting the need to govern cross-border cooperation in the Nile River in accordance with the rules of international law, especially prior notification, consultation, consensus and non-harm, in accordance with internationally established obligations and practices.
