During the course of his visit to Egypt, Minister without Portfolio for National Policy and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén held negotiations with high level officials and religious leaders on strengthening political, economic and social relations.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Hungary regards Egypt as a key regional partner with relation to its ‘Opening towards the East’ policy.

He also noted that since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took office, the country has been increasingly stable and is regaining its political and economic significance, while the new administration has also gained the support of the Coptic Christian community.

The improved situation also means that various joint economic projects may now recommence, including the export of Hungarian agriculture products to Egypt and an increased flow of tourists to Hungarian thermal spas, he highlighted.

The Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister opened a Hungarian Trade House in Cairo together with Minister of International Cooperation Naglaa El Ahwany, , which Mr. Semjén said was symbolically important.

In addition to political relations, Zsolt Semjén’s talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab also involved cooperation on railway development and a planned project involving the Hungarian production of 25 locomotives and 700 railway carriages for Egypt.

Mr. Semjén also met with Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el Tayeb as well as visiting several Christian sanctuaries and the Coptic cultural centre, where he met the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II. 

On Thursday, he also met with the Hungarian peacekeeping contingent on the Sinai Peninsula, which is operating within the framework of the MFO mission.

During his meeting with Governor of South Sinai Khaled Fouda, he discussed establishing cooperation between Hévíz and Sharm el-Sheikh, in view of the great interest in Hungary’s thermal spas.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Hungary had expressed its solidarity with Christians persecuted in the East on every international forum.

(Prime Minister's Office)