Pope Tawadros II meets with French Foreign Minister

CAIRO – 9 June 2017: Coptic Pope Tawadros II received Thursday French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the headquarters of St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiyah in the capital Cairo.

Le Drian met with Pope Tawadros II to discuss topics of mutual interest between the two countries, according to a statement released by French Foreign Ministry Wednesday.
“I’m going to meet with Pope Tawadros II to offer my condolences regarding the latest terrorist attack which killed 29 people, May 26 in Minya governorate,” Le Drian said early on Thursday.

French Foreign Minister met President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Thursday, where they tackled international efforts to counter terrorism and prospects of bilateral relations between Egypt and France.

“France understands the challenges Egypt faces and is willing to offer all needed support for Cairo to achieve development and stabilization,” Le Drian said during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on Thursday.

During Le Drian’s first visit to Cairo in his current post since President Emmanuel Macron became President for France, he emphasized the necessity to pursue coordination between the two states concerning regional and international issues of mutual concern, in order to face ongoing challenges, atop of which is the threat of terrorism.

French Foreign Minister left Egypt Friday morning after two days visit to Cairo, he met President Sisi along with a number of Egyptian officials to discuss the latest developments in the region.

Le Drian visited Egypt before as Defense Minister under President Francois Hollande (2012-2017), where he met several Egyptian officials, Ahram online reported.