LOC23:14
20:14 GMT
CAIRO, Nov 23 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi's European tour to begin tomorrow aims at attracting investments and exchanging views with European leaders over regional issues of mutual interest.
Al-Sisi, during his visit to Rome, will be meeting President Giorgio Napolitano to discuss the fight against terrorism and extremism, as well as developments in the Middle East, presidential spokesman Alaa Yusuf said in a statement Sunday.
Italy is Egypt's first trade partner at the European level and the third around the globe following the US and China. Trade exchange reached around USD six billion in 2013. Italy is the fifth largest European investor in Egypt with USD 2.6 billion.
Al-Sisi will be attending the Egyptian-Italian business council meeting.
Yusuf said Al-Sisi would visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis to express appreciation for the Holy See's openness on dialogue with Islam, and his quest to fighting poverty.
The Egyptian leader will also visit Paris for summit talks with French President Francois Hollande and other senior officials to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, said Yusuf. (end)
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