
Bilateral political consultations on African issues between the Czech Republic and Egypt led by Deputy Ministers Martin Tlapa and Sherif Issa
01.03.2022 / 15:23 | Aktualizováno: 02.03.2023 / 16:55
Deputy Minister Martin Tlapa headed the Czech delegation in bilateral consultations with the Arab Republic of Egypt, which took place by video conference on 28 February 2022. His partner was the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs Sherif Issa and other representatives of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Delegations discussed current developments in sub-Saharan Africa. In the context of the forthcoming Czech EU Presidency and the recently concluded 6th EU‑African Union Summit (Brussels, 17-18 February 2022), the discussion also addressed broader issues of further cooperation between the two continents, including in the field of energy.
The main topics of political consultations between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Tlapa and the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa Sherif Issa included the security situation in several countries in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The discussions emphasized the importance of the stability and prosperity of these areas for Europe's security and the need for continued cooperation between European and African states and institutions in the fight against terrorism. The recent wave of military coups in West Africa and the activities of Russian mercenaries of the so-called Wagner Group in the destabilized region were not left out of the spotlight.
Following the recently concluded 6th EU-African Summit, the Czech and Egyptian delegations agreed that it is necessary to continue EU-Africa cooperation in capacity building (education, health, security, etc.). They mentioned also Africa's potential as an alternative energy source for Europe, including green energy.
Thanks to its location at the crossroads between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Egypt is one of the Czech Republic's strategic partners. This year, the Czech Republic and Egypt commemorate the 100 years that have passed since the two countries established their diplomatic relations.
The next round of political consultations between the Czech Republic and Egypt should take place before the beginning of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2022, in Prague in physical format.