JOHANNESBURG: Egypt has invited Malaysia to be the co-organiser of an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the invitation came from the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and was relayed by the Prime Minister Mostafa Kamal Madbouly on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
“Egypt has asked Malaysia to consider its proposal for the two countries to organise the conference jointly.
“I have asked the Foreign Ministry to get details from their Egyptian counterpart before I decide,” he said to the Malaysian media at the end of his working visit to South Africa, including attending the G20 Summit.
On why Egypt had approached Malaysia, Anwar said one of the reasons was perhaps the country’s firm stance on the issue of Gaza and Palestine.
At the G20 Summit, Madbouly told the leaders that Egypt is ready to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.
Anwar said he held short meetings and discussions with several leaders on the sidelines of the Summit, including with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which they discussed the need to boost bilateral relations and his long-awaited visit to the latter country.
“I also had a quick chat with the President of Brazil, Lioz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was happy with PETRONAS’ performance there and asked if its role can be expanded,” he said.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, the Prime Minister said they discussed the need to expedite the Asean Power Grid initiative, which would run through Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore.
“I also had an exchange of views with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Summit. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen our ties, particularly in the economy, trade, education and new technology, which can expand our cooperation.
“Moving forward, Malaysia and India will continue to work hand in hand to form strategic partnerships. With confidence and respect for each other, we will be able to boost the region’s potential as a new area of growth,” he said.
