GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo Oct. 9, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh described his visit to Egypt as successful on all levels. 

Speaking during a meeting with both delegations in Cairo, Shtayyeh noted that previous meetings were fruitful, especially regarding ways to alleviate the suffering of the citizens of the Gaza Strip and bolstering trade with Egypt. He added that the talks encouraged cooperation in the fields of health, agriculture and education as well as trade. He mentioned his government’s strategy of disengagement from Israel and seeking Arab support.

The Egyptian and Palestinian governments agreed during bilateral meetings to form work groups to cooperate on a plan to open up new economic horizons that would allow the Palestinian Authority to disengage from Israel.

Minister of National Economy in the Ramallah government Khaled al-Osaily told Raya Oct. 10 that it was agreed on to promote trade exchange and joint economic visits between Egyptian and Palestinian businessmen. Osaily had told Wafa Oct. 8 that Egyptian products will soon replace Israeli products in Palestinian markets as part of the government’s strategy of economic disengagement from Israel.