Korea and Egypt Upgrade Ties to Strategic Partnership and Launch CEPA Negotiations

President Lee Jae-myung declared at a joint press conference on the 8th, following his summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who is on a state visit to Korea, that the two countries would elevate their relationship to a 'strategic partnership' and officially launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). "Last year in Cairo, President El-Sisi and I agreed to deepen cooperation for peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing," President Lee said, adding, "Today in Seoul, we decided to translate the agreements made thus far into tangible results that the people of both countries can feel."

Marking this state visit, Egypt became the first Asian country to sign a social security agreement with Korea. "This will ease the burden of double pension insurance payments for workers dispatched to both countries, thereby promoting mutual business expansion and economic activity between the two nations," President Lee explained.

Cooperation on international peace and stability was also on the summit agenda. "We highly appreciated Egypt's efforts for Middle East peace, including in the Gaza Strip, and the two countries agreed to continue working toward the swift restoration of peace and stability in the region," President Lee said. The two sides also reaffirmed the importance of the smooth flow of international maritime logistics and the free and safe navigation of all vessels.

On the Korean Peninsula issue, President Lee said, "I conveyed to President El-Sisi our government's firm philosophy that creating a peace that eliminates the need to fight is the most certain and solid security, rather than winning through battle." He added, "President El-Sisi highly appreciated our government's efforts and expressed his full support."