V4 + Egypt summit targets improved economic ties

Ways to foster economic ties between Egypt and Central and Eastern Europe represented one focus of talks at a summit between government leaders of the Visegrád Group (V4) - Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Budapest Tuesday, state news wire MTI reported.

Terrorism and illegal migration were among other topics discussed at the summit, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at a joint press conference after the meeting.

The summit was the first Visegrád Group event Hungary has hosted since taking over the rotating V4 presidency at the start of July.

In a joint statement, the parties “expressed their wish to conduct political and strategic dialogues to identify new opportunities, coordinate efforts to explore them, and discuss international affairs of common interest.” The V4 and the Arab Republic of Egypt underlined the importance of the strategic partnership established between Egypt and the EU and “reiterated their determination to further invest in comprehensive, mutually beneficial and future-oriented relations.”