During a meeting with the Speaker of the Canadian Senate George Furey on Monday, Egypt s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed the importance of boosting Egyptian-Canadian relations on all levels, especially in light of Canada s international influence in advancing peace and stability efforts in the region.
The Egyptian minister reviewed positive developments at the economic, social and security levels in Egypt, reviewing ways of boosting bilateral relations, as well as economic and investment cooperation.
The two officials also discussed giant projects implemented by Egypt and promising investment opportunities available for Canadian companies, as well as regional issues of common interest, including the situation in Libya.
Shoukry briefed Furey on the principles that govern Egypt s foreign policy towards regional crises, which aim to achieve security and stability and meet the aspirations of the peoples in the region.
Earlier on Monday, Furey met with Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, who expressed the readiness of the world s leading Sunni Islamic institution to boost cooperation and ties with Canada to serve as an example of coexistence and social peace globally.
El-Tayeb noted that millions of students attend the Islamic institution, which has been playing a pioneering role for more than 1,000 years, adding that Al-Azhar has succeeded in establishing real communication between the East and West through dialogue with major religious institutions worldwide.
Furey said that Al-Azhar s moderate dialogue contributes to confronting terrorism and extremism, expressing his appreciation for its successes in establishing communication with various religions.
On Sunday, Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed in a meeting with Furey and an accompanying delegation the relations between the two countries, affirming Egypt s keenness to promote the value of citizenhood and the culture of pluralism and acceptance.
The Egyptian president expressed appreciation for the good treatment Egyptians have received in Canada, saying he believes this has helped them effectively integrate into many social, economic and political fields.
El-Sisi affirmed to the Canadian senate speaker that Egypt could serve as a role model for peaceful co-existence in the region.
El-Sisi also reviewed Egypt s efforts in fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies, as well as reforming religious discourse, paying particular attention to upgrading the education system and achieving comprehensive economic and social reform with attention and aspiration to Canada s support in this regard.
