President El-Sisi attended a closed session with prominent presidents and leaders of the African summit. Africa Summit held its official meetings last Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ambassador Alaa Yousef, Presidential Spokesman, stated that 3 topics were addressed in the closed session. Topics such as: African cooperation and integration, establishment of an African free trade zone, adding new members to the UN and election of a president and members of the African Union, were addressed in the meeting.
El-Sisi stressed on the significance of African cooperation and integration, as it is necessary for developing African countries’ economies, Ambassador Alaa Yousef added. In order to achieve development, efforts should be exerted on the local and regional levels. In addition, African cooperation will reflect on markets attraction to investment and enhance economic growth, El-Sisi said.
Egypt is looking forward to the establishment of an African free trade zone. The 3rd summit of African trade blocs “COMESA, SADC and EAC”, held on June 2015 in Sharm El-Sheikh with the presence of 26 African countries, has moved forward the establishment of the African free trade zone. The 3 trade blocs have signed the final agreement to establish the African free trade zone. This agreement will facilitate investment and trade throughout the member countries, El-Sisi asserted.
In conclusion, African presidents agreed to set a roadmap for the African cooperation and integration; the roadmap will be reviewed next summit on January 2017, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Moreover, African presidents urged the union to have a vision of the establishment of African free trade zone according to what has been agreed upon in the 3rd summit of African trade blocs “COMESA, SADC and EAC”.
Ambassador Alaa Yousef said that El-Sisi, in a discussion about joining new member to the UN, pointed out the significance of reforming UN systems in order to make the UN more reliable, achieve democracy among international relations and enhance international governance system.
El-Sisi stated that any attempts to convince African countries to give up their rights, claiming that African countries have to be more flexible, are unreasonable. It is worthy to note that African countries members represent 30 per cent of UN membership.
African presidents stressed on the significance of UN comprehensive reformation, pointing out Africa’s right of a fair geographical representation. Reformation of the UN shall be given priority in Africa’s foreign policy when dealing with other non-African UN members.
As for African Summit’s elections, African presidents confirmed that the elections will take place on time with no delays.
