Egyptian president discusses Gaza war, strengthens cooperation during talks in Norway

By Ibrahim Khazen

CAIRO (AA) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed Israel's ongoing genocide against the Gaza Strip and strengthening cooperation with Norway on Monday during his first visit to Oslo, the first by an Egyptian president since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1936.

The meeting took place between al-Sisi and King Harald V, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Norwegian Parliament Speaker Masud Gharahkhani, according to statements from the Egyptian presidency.

During his meeting with the King of Norway, the Egyptian president emphasized "the significance of the visit, which is the first by an Egyptian President to Norway since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1936."

The two sides discussed "ways to forge closer bilateral relations and coordinate positions in international fora on matters of shared interest."

They also reviewed “the situation in the Middle East and efforts, spearheaded by Egypt, to establish calm so as to restore stability in the region.”

The Egyptian president also discussed with the Norwegian prime minister "the importance of working to enhance economic, trade, and investment relations."

Al-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s keenness “to invest in and expand green energy production, expressing Egypt’s willingness to cooperate with Norway in the field of green hydrogen production using renewable energy sources.”

On the sidelines of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to launch a mechanism for political consultation between the two countries.

Al-Sisi, in his meeting with the speaker of the Norwegian parliament, emphasized "the pivotal role of parliamentary cooperation in enhancing dialogue among peoples.”

Regarding the ongoing Israeli genocide against Gaza, both sides stressed "the crucial need for an immediate ceasefire, the exchange of hostages and detainees, and providing access for desperately-needed humanitarian aid and relief into the Gaza Strip at adequate quantities.”

Norway is included as part of an European tour by the Egyptian president, which began on Thursday with a visit to Denmark—making him the first Egyptian president to visit Copenhagen—where a strategic partnership declaration between the two countries was signed.

The European tour, whose duration has not been specified, will conclude with a visit to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, with the aim of exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and coordinating positions on international issues and crises of mutual interest.​​​​​​​

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala