German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked Egypt for its role as a mediator in the war in Gaza during his visit to the country on Wednesday.
In a joint statement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, Steinmeier also called for further efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The statement expressed concern about the risk of the conflict spreading further into a broader regional flashpoint.
“Any actor who has influence on both sides should use that influence,” Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier said Germany is doing what it can, “and I know that Egypt also plays a particularly important role in this, a role that we in Germany very much appreciate.”
Al-Sisi, in turn, called on Europe to play its role in the conflict and put pressure on Israel to reach a ceasefire.
Steinmeier and Al-Sisi also referred to the close bilateral relations between Germany and Egypt. Al-Sisi expressed his desire to expand cooperation, for example in the economic field.
“We warmly welcome German companies,” he said, assuring potential business partners that their investments in Egypt would be protected.