Africa relationship with int'l partners based on equality, common interests:Sisi

BIARRITZ, France, Aug 25 (MENA) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has stressed that Africa's relationship with its international partners is based on equality and common interests.

Sisi was speaking during a business lunch with the presidents of Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Burkina Faso and the head of the African Commission to coordinate African stances ahead of the G7 and Africa summit held today.

The African presidents want to send a strong message about challenges facing their continent and ways to solve them, said presidential spokesman Bassam Radi Sunday.

Sisi stressed the need to highlight Africa's development priorities, atop of which reducing poverty, countering climate change, fighting endemic diseases, employing youth and empowering women, Radi added.

The African presidents greatly appreciated Sisi's initiative to hold this meeting to coordinate stances ahead of the G7 and Africa summit.