Egypt and Mali discuss anti-terrorism efforts in Sahel

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Friday discussed in a phone call with Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, ways of fostering bilateral cooperation, as well as the efforts to counter terrorism in the Sahel region.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Tamim Khallaf said that Abdelatty lauded the current momentum in Egyptian-Mali ties, especially in light of the two countries' keenness to elevate bilateral relations to higher prospects.

He also expressed Egypt's aspiration to deepen cooperation with Mali, particularly in the sectors of construction and infrastructure, electricity and renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agroindustry and food processing.

The top Egyptian diplomat reviewed the programs offered by Egypt through its national institutions and Al-Azhar missions, as well as training courses provided via the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, particularly in combating terrorism and extremism.

Abdelatty stressed Egypt's readiness to share its comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism with Mali, which addresses this phenomenon through security, development and intellectual dimensions.

In this regard, the foreign minister reiterated Egypt's full support for the efforts aimed at eradicating terrorist organizations in Central and West Africa, and for continuing to build the capacities and cadres of national institutions to combat terrorism and achieve comprehensive development in the Sahel region.

The pair agreed to keep strengthening cooperation and coordination across various areas, in support of security, stability and development in Mali, the Sahel and the whole African continent.