Sisi goes shopping for arms in Paris
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been exploring a number of arms deals with France, yet critics argue this is aimed at buying European support at the expense of Egypt's economy.
CAIRO — On Nov. 9, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Sharm el-Sheikh at the World Youth Forum. During the meeting, Sisi praised the cooperation and distinguished relation with France that had materialized during his latest official visit to Paris.
Sisi had visited France on Oct. 24 for the third time since assuming office. The visit was economic in nature, which was evidenced in the size of the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during the visit. The French Foreign Ministry announced several agreements with Egypt, including four loans in the fields of energy, health and social security.
The value of the four French loans was not disclosed. However, Egyptian Health Minister Ahmed Emad al-Deen on Oct. 30 told reporters during his visit to Port Said — the first governorate in which the health security system will be applied — that France would lend Egypt 30 million euros (about $34 million) for the health security system.
Quwa, a media group that specializes in defense news and analysis of modern defense systems, issued a report Oct. 22 saying that the French Defense Ministry is interested in a sale deal of A400M Atlas airlifters and NH90 helicopters to Egypt, adding that such expected sales are worth billions of dollars.
