Sisi to meet counterpart Gauck during Germany visit

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is due in Germany Tuesday on a visit to the European country during which he will hold talks with his German counterpart Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The talks Wednesday will focus on the latest developments in Egypt and the region, means of boosting bilateral relations and efforts to fight terrorism.

Upon his arrival, a group of Egyptians will stage a welcome rally outside Sisi's residence in the German capital.

Sisi and Merkel will hold a joint press conference after their meeting on Wednesday.

Later in the day, Sisi will meet with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

He is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the end of an Egyptian-German economic forum.

Four important agreements will be signed during the visit, including one with Siemens under which Egypt will be receiving 10,000 megawatts of electricity, which constitute one third of Egypt's needs of energy.

Accompanying Sisi on the visit are Trade and Industry Minister Mounir Fakhri Abdel Nour and International Cooperation Minister Naglaa el Ahwani.

On Thursday, Sisi will meet with German businessmen and Volker Kauder, the leader of the ruling CDU and Christian Social Union in the German Bundestag.

Egyptian Ambassador in Berlin Mohamed Hegazi told MENA Sisi's visit comes at an important turning point in Europe and the region.

This entails high-level consultancy and coordination between the political leadership in Cairo and Berlin, Hegazi said.

During the visit, Sisi will review the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to achieve stability in the region, the diplomat said.

He will highlight Egypt's important role in achieving regional stability, which is key to security in the region and Europe as well, Hegazi added.

Egypt, under Sisi, has restored its ability to launch regional initiatives, the ambassador told MENA. Hegazi also talked about economic initiatives to revive the Egyptian economy, which has become a major attraction to international markets.

The Egyptian ambassador also touched upon efforts to counter terrorism in the region, which has even extended to Europe through the non-stop flow of refugees, illegal migrants and terrorists.

Egypt is seen as the only power standing up to terrorism that is threatening maritime navigation routes, Hegazi said, noting that terrorism also poses a threat to energy supplies from the Gulf countries to Europe.

All this makes dialogue between Cairo and Berlin important, especially in this stage, the diplomat said.

Asked about the economic file, Hegazi said Sisi has a hectic schedule for the visit during which he will discuss political, economic and investment files.

Hegazi said the balance of trade between Egypt and Germany amounted to 4.4 billion euros in 2014, noting that this is the highest ever figure to be reached.