Mariano Rajoy receives President of the Arab Republic of Egypt at Moncloa Palace

The Egyptian President is being accompanied by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Oil, Investment, Transport, Electricity and Renewable Energies, and the National Suez Canal Authority, and will be received by H.M. the King of Spain, the President of the Government and the Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament. The Egyptian President will also attend a business breakfast with leading Spanish companies and the Egyptian companies accompanying him on his visit.

Egypt and Spain have traditionally maintained excellent bilateral relations. Egypt is a key country for stability in the region and in the fight against Jihadi terrorism due to its political and strategic significance. It is also one of the largest markets, with 90 million inhabitants and privileged trade relations with Africa and the Middle East.

The meeting between President Al-Sisi and the President of the Government of Spain will allow discussion of the results from the Economic Conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh on 13, 14 and 15 March, where President Al-Sisi presented his programme of economic reform, and thus tackle the trade and investment opportunities emerging for Spanish companies.

A number of regional issues of common interest will also be discussed, such as the fight against Jihadi terrorism (in which Egypt plays a key role), migratory flows in the Mediterranean and the situation in other countries in the region, such as Libya, Syria and Yemen, as well as the Middle East peace process.