Seeking Switzerland's Support of the Demining Project in Egypt
Seeking Switzerland's Support of the Demining Project in Egypt
Source : MOIC Website
28-Sep-2016
The Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr received the Swiss Ambassador to Cairo Mr. Markus Leitner.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Nasr welcomed Ambassador Leitner, emphasizing MoIC's keenness on enhancing cooperation relations with Switzerland. Within this framework, both sides discussed preparations for the Minister's expected visit to Switzerland in November 2016 and coordination for signing a joint letter of intent between both countries during the visit, which would serve as one of the cooperation activation mechanisms in various areas.
The Minister highlighted the importance of Switzerland's support of Egypt in the demining project and sustainable development through providing several grants. As noted by the Minister, Demining the North West coast and North Sinai from war remnants is one of the most important projects, given that it would render such areas a place for establishing several development projects, which would, in turn, provide youth and women with job opportunities and raise standards of living in such lagging regions.
Both sides discussed the Egypt- Switzerland cooperation strategy for 2017- 2020, where the Minister indicated that the government's current priorities focus on the development of Upper Egypt as well as water and wastewater projects, which aim at providing all governorates with clean water. She also put an emphasis on the importance of financing SMEs through the Swiss grants provided within the context of the strategy, which should be developed in conformity with citizens' needs and the government's program approved by the parliament.