(Unofficial Translation)

I am deeply grateful to President El-Sisi and the people of Egypt for warmly welcoming me and my delegation. It is very meaningful that on my first trip to an African nation, I have become the first Korean President to visit Egypt in 16 years.

As a cradle of ancient civilization, Egypt is a pivotal nation in Africa and the Middle East. It has geographical advantages – connecting three continents – and historic merit for showcasing the coexistence of past, present and future. The growth potential of Egypt is boundless as it possesses extensive FTA networks, a youthful demographic structure and even abundant resources. Egypt and Korea have worked together in a wide range of areas, including the economy, foreign affairs and culture. Today, we two leaders affirmed that our countries’ comprehensive cooperative partnership has brought mutual benefits to both nations. An agreement was also reached to strengthen sustainable, forward-looking cooperation.

First, we concurred that reciprocal cooperation should be expanded. President El-Sisi and I agreed to initiate meaningful progress for the sake of concluding Korea-Egypt trade agreements through a joint study on trade and economic partnerships. Our two countries will also broaden the horizons of economic cooperation into such future areas as eco-friendly transport and marine and space development.

Second, we agreed to strengthen our partnership for sustainable development. Korea has set a new limit on the Economic Development Cooperation Fund for Egypt – up to US$1 billion. Korea’s own development experiences will be shared, and we will provide support for expanding transportation and water resource infrastructure here. Our two countries will also make joint efforts to improve our peoples’ quality of life through policy exchanges related to balanced national development and public-sector innovation.

Third, we agreed to work together more closely to overcome the climate crisis. Egypt is the chair country of the COP27 this year. Korea will actively cooperate to help successfully unite the international community’s climate response commitments. We also came to an agreement to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and eco-friendly infrastructure.

Fourth, we agreed to invigorate people-to-people and cultural exchanges. We concurred on cooperating to expand the diversity and convenience of exchanges for our two peoples’ mutual enjoyment of each other’s culture and to make travel safe. In addition, we agreed to work together to discover and preserve both countries’ brilliant cultural heritage in order to pass it on to posterity in full.

Meanwhile, we two leaders shared the common understanding that the K9 self-propelled howitzer contract, currently being discussed, is an outcome of defense industry cooperation based on the mutual trust between our countries. We agreed that the howitzer will greatly contribute to strengthening the military power of Egyptian forces while the related technical cooperation and local production in Egypt will become a major example of successful, mutually beneficial cooperation at the same time. We also agreed to work together to conclude the contract.

Finally, on the basis of his experience contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East as a mediator, President El-Sisi expressed his understanding of the need for North Korea to return to dialogue as soon as possible. The President supported my and the Korean Government’s position to promote substantive progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Today’s summit served as an opportunity for our two countries to join hands even more firmly. I hope that Egypt and Korea will move forward more vigorously toward a future of prosperity and development together.

Thank you.