Biden raises human rights in talks with Egypt's leader Sisi

Biden raises human rights in talks with Egypt's leader Sisi
November 12, 2022, 7:52 am

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, November 11, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque reuters_tickers

U.S. President Joe Biden raised the issue of human rights in a meeting on Friday (Nov 11) with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the COP27 climate summit, the White House said.

"The president raised the importance of human rights and respect for fundamental freedoms," the White House said in a statement. Biden and Sisi reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the climate change crisis and discussed a range of issues including the war in Ukraine and food security, it said.

Meeting on the sidelines of the 27th session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, the two leaders discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis as well as developments in Libya, Yemen and Syria, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

Sisi stressed reaching political settlements for these crises and ending the presence of foreign mercenaries and militias in the region.

This photo shows an entrance to the media registration area of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Concerning the issue of Ethiopia's disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's adherence to preserving its water security by reaching a legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam.

He said that the agreement must guarantee Egypt's water security, in accordance with the principles of international law to achieve the common interests of all parties.

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They also discussed the Palestinian issue, the statement added.

For his part, Biden praised Egypt's efforts in combating terrorism, while expressing the support of his administration for such efforts.

The two leaders also pledged to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields of cooperation.

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