ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi over the phone, with the two leaders resolving to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Muslim-majority states Pakistan and Egypt enjoy cordial ties with one another. Recently, the leadership of the two countries resolved to enhance bilateral trade.
Islamabad and Cairo agreed to do this by facilitating businessmen from both countries with visas, exchanging trade-related information and promoting private sector contacts.
Friendly ties between the two countries can be traced back to 1947 when Pakistan gained independence and its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, visited Egypt at the special invitation of King Fuad II.
“The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in diverse fields and continue close collaboration on all issues of mutual interest,” the PMO statement said.
In November 2022, Egypt will host the UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, in Egyptian resort town Sharm El-Sheikh.
“The Prime Minister also assured the Egyptian President [of] Pakistan’s support to the Egyptian Presidency of CoP-27 for a successful Conference,” the statement said.
President El-Sisi offered condolences to the people of Pakistan for the precious lives lost and the damage inflicted by unprecedented floods in Pakistan. The Egyptian president announced relief assistance from Egypt for Pakistan’s flood affectees.
“The Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan was among the major victims of climate change, while its contribution to global emissions has been less than 1 percent,” the statement read.
PM Sharif briefed El-Sisi about the loss of lives, infrastructure, livelihood and crops owing to the devastation caused by the floods.
Islamabad is expected to present its case and recent climate initiatives taken by the government at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP-27) in Egypt.