Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:31:18 +0200
Several issues on Sisi's agenda at UN General Assembly
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is expected to tackle a number of
issues at the UN General Assembly next week
Ahram Online, Saturday 20 Sep 2014
http://english.ahram.org.eg/App_Themes/Black/images/line_re.jpg
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will head to New York on Sunday for
the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to give a
speech.
In his five-day visit El-Sisi is expected to meet with a number of
officials, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn for
discussions on the latter's Nile dam projects, which Egypt fears will affect
its water supply.
El-Sisi, who heads the Egyptian delegation at the general assembly for the
first time, is also expected to sit with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to
discuss regional developments, as Arab states collaborate against extremist
militant threats.
El-Sisi will also address the UN climate summit on 23 September before
giving his full address on 25 September, Al-Ahram Arabic reported on Friday.
During his meetings El-Sisi will discuss Egypt's efforts to attract
investment to support the economy and fund major projects such as the Suez
Canal expansion and the development of the electricity sector.
Egypt's new president will not sit with US President Barack Obama during his
time in the US but will instead meet several American politicians for talks
on issues including terrorism, Egyptian-US relations and Egypt's ties with
Russia.
In addition, El-Sisi is expected to meet with Egyptian expats from New York
and nearby states.
Egypt-Ethiopia meetings
With Ethiopia currently constructing a new dam on the Blue Nile, El-Sisi
will meet Desalegn to discuss its effect on Egypt.
The dam has caused controversy in Egypt recently; Egyptian officials and
experts have warned that it could have a negative effect on the Nile water
that reaches Egypt, which lies downstream of the dam.
Relations between the countries have come under strain in the face of the
dispute, but recent diplomatic efforts have been made to tackle the issue.
Last month, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia's irrigation ministers signed an
agreement to conduct two studies to gauge the effects of the Grand
Renaissance Dam on downstream countries.
Egypt's Irrigation Minister Hossam El-Moghazi heads an Egyptian delegation
participating in a meeting with ministers of irrigation from Sudan and
Ethiopia on Saturday in Addis Ababa.
El-Sisi is also expected to visit Addis Ababa before the end of the year.
Regional efforts
Several US and European officials have visited Egypt recently amid
continuing regional talks to confront the Islamic State (IS) -- a militant
group that has overrun swathes of Iraq and Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
and UK Middle East advisor at the defence ministry General Simon Mayall have
all made visits to Cairo for meetings on the topic.
On 11 September, Egypt - along with nine other Arab states - agreed to join
Washington in the fight against IS in an effort to build an international
coalition.
Participation will include joining any coordinated military campaigns as
appropriate.
El-Sisi is expected to discuss Egypt's role in these regional developments
with a number of officials on the sidelines of the general assembly session.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will accompany El-Sisi on his US
trip, will attend a number of meetings, including a Security Council session
on Iraq.
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