Cairo and Bucharest plan to enhance their cooperation in the field of energy, the two countries affirmed on Sunday following a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Romania’s Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca in Cairo. Sisi welcomed the Romanian PM’s visit to Egypt and conveyed hus greetings to President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, according to spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Counselor Ahmed Fahmy. The President lauded the historical relations between the two countries, which were established 117 years ago. Fahmy said Sisi looked forward to further enhancing bilateral relations, in light of the constructive and positive steps taken by the two countries over the past years. He added that this was demonstrated in their high-level exchange of visits, primarily Sisi’s visit to Bucharest in June 2019, which was followed by the Romanian President’s visit to Egypt in October 2021. This is in addition to the Romanian President’s participation in the World Climate Summit, in Sharm El-Sheikh, in November 2022. For his part, the Romanian PM confirmed commitment to advancing consultations and coordination between the two countries, in light of Egypt’s pivotal role in reinforcing stability and security in the Middle East and Africa. Ciuca also looked forward to stepping up Romania’s cooperation with Egypt in all areas, particularly economic and trade relations and the exchange of expertise, as well as encouraging joint investment in sectors with a competitive advantage in both Egypt and Romania. “The two sides agreed on the need to convene the next round of the Egyptian-Romanian Joint Committee at the earliest time possible,” according to Fahmy. He said Sisi and Ciuca discussed cooperation in the field of energy in its various forms, given the two sides' keenness on diversifying and securing their sources of energy, particularly in light of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis which has imposed international challenges. The meeting also focused on a number of regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause and Egypt’s efforts to achieve calm between the Palestinians and Israelis. Fahmy said the two sides agreed on the importance of exerting intensive efforts to reach a just and comprehensive solution, in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy. The talks then tackled developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its political, economic and humanitarian repercussions at the world level. Sisi expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Romania’s reception of Egyptian students who were forced to leave Ukraine, and for facilitating their return to their country.