An Egyptian parliamentary delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal, paid a three-day visit to Ireland Sept. 24, during which they met with high-ranking officials including President Michael D. Higgins and parliament Speaker Sean O Fearghaíl.
The visit came upon an invitation from the Irish parliament speaker who had visited Egypt in January 2017.
During the visit, ways to enhance bilateral relations in different fields were discussed. Abdel Aal said that the relations between Egypt and Ireland began 40 years ago. He expressed his country’s keenness to benefit from the Irish expertise in livestock breeding technology and to import its distinctive livestock breeds, with the aim of developing livestock strategies and improving the cattle strains in Egypt.
Egypt's parliamentarians believe that the visit was remarkable, especially after it witnessed the launch of the Egyptian-Irish Friendship Society.
Abdel-Hamid el-Demerdash, member of parliament and Egypt's head of the Egyptian-Irish Friendship Society, told Al-Monitor, “The visit was successful and fruitful. The Egyptian and Irish officials held talks for ways to boost bilateral cooperation in the coming period in many fields — such as agriculture and food industries, education, tourism, and civil aviation.”
He added, “The aim of the society is to create the right atmosphere to support the economic relations between the two countries and to push forward joint investment in agriculture, animal production, new and renewable energy, and biotechnology."
Demerdash said that Irish livestock and slaughtered animals would soon be exported once again to Egypt.
Al-Monitor
04/10/2018
