Germany’s Merkel in Egypt for first time since Mubarak

CAIRO

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Cairo on Thursday at the head of a delegation of German business leaders for a two-day visit, according to a diplomatic source.

"Egyptian Prime Minister Sharif Ismail received Merkel at Cairo International Airport’s Presidential Hall," the source, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on talking to media, told Anadolu Agency.

“Merkel will go directly to Egypt’s Federal Palace in eastern Cairo, where she will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,” the source said.

“During her visit, she also plans to meet with Al-Azhar Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II,” he added.

Merkel's last visit to Cairo was in 2009, when she met with then President Hosni Mubarak in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh and attended an international conference devoted to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s 2007/08 “Cast Lead” offensive.

Last week, German Deputy Speaker of Parliament Johannes Zinghamer also visited the Egyptian capital.

On Thursday, Egyptian Ambassador in Berlin Badr Abdelaaty said Egypt hoped to see Germany play a role in promoting economic relations between Cairo and the EU.

In a statement, Abdelaaty said Thursday’s talks between Merkel and al-Sisi would discuss means of promoting tourism and stepping up coordination in the fight against illegal immigration, along with economic relations and regional developments.

Reporting by Mahmoud al-Husseini; Writing Ali Abo Rezeg