JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT TO THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT BY HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
- At the invitation of His Excellency Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His ExcellencyYoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,paid a two-day State Visit to Egypt onMay 8-9, 2018.His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni was accompanied by Ministers and other Senior Government Officials.
2.The two Heads of State held Official Talks at the Presidential Palace,Cairo in a cordial and friendly atmosphere on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
3.Their Excellencies reiterated their commitment to strengthen further the existing bonds of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Egypt and Uganda.
4.His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni congratulated His Excellency President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi on his resounding victory in the Presidential elections held in March 2018. He noted that the landslide win attested to the confidence and trust the Egyptian people have in his leadership.
5. The Heads of State reiterated their commitment to the achievement of the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and in particular the economic integration of Africa to accelerate economic transformation, industrialization and improvement of the livelihoods of citizens.
In this regard, they stressed that the signing of the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area was a significant milestone. They underscored the need to fast track infrastructure development particularly energy, railways, roads, and waterways to improve connectivity across the continent.
6.Both Heads of State condemned in the strongest terms acts of terrorism and exchanged views on how to combat it. In this regard, they called for concerted efforts at bilateral, regional and international levels.
7.The two Heads commended the outcome of the second session of theJoint Ministerial Commission (JMC) between the two countries held from May 5-7, 2018 in Cairo. The two delegations agreed on actions to strengthen cooperation in various areas including energy, trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, defence and security, transport, health, Information and Communications Technology, water and environment.
8.Their Excellencies witnessed the signing of the following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding:
i)Bilateral Agreement and Executive Contract for establishment of 4 Megawatts Solar Power project in Busia, Uganda;
ii)Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in different fields of Agriculture;
iii)Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between UIA and Egyptian Industrial Development Authority (IDA) in establishing Industrial Parks;
iv)Memorandum of Understanding on exchange and participation in Exhibitions and Fairs;
v)Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Egypt Export Development Authority and Uganda Export Promotion Board.
9.During the State Visit, His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni visited the Gamal Abdel Nasser Museum and Elsewedy Electric Cables Industry in Cairo. He also addressed a Business Forum which brought together Ugandan and Egyptian business people and investors to discuss trade and investment opportunities in both countries.
10. His Excellency President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi thanked His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni for honouring his invitation and for the fruitful discussions they held. His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, on his part, expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.
11.His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni extended an invitation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah el-Sisito pay a State Visit to the Republic of Uganda. The invitation was gladly accepted and the dates will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Done on May 8, 2018 in Cairo.
FOR THE GOVERNMENTOF THE REPUBLIC
OF UGANDA
______
HON. SAM K. KUTESA
Minister of Foreign Affairs / FOR THE GOVERNMENT
OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC
OF CAIRO
______
HON. SAMEH SHOUKRY
Minister of Foreign Affairs
1