His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received at the Papal Residence in Cairo this afternoon, Tuesday Prime Minister of Palestine Dr. Mohammed Shtayyeh and his accompanying delegation.
The Palestinian Prime Minister expressed his happiness with his current visit to Egypt, which comes within the framework of supporting and strengthening relations between the two countries and he added: “We pray that peace prevails in Palestine and the whole world,” he also stressed: “We are looking for freedom and self-esteem. Man does not live by bread alone.”He said, directing his words to His Holiness the Pope: “We appreciate the stance of your Holiness and the Coptic Orthodox Church in defending the right of Palestine.
For his part, His Holiness the Pope welcomed the Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation, stressing that the first case we have in Egypt is the case of Palestine, and the State of Palestine has a special place in the hearts of all Egyptians, and we always pray for you and for the ordeals that you are exposed to.
His Holiness inquired from his guest about daily life in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in terms of schools, universities and jobs, and about the living conditions of the residents of this occupied area.
The Palestinian Minister replied that there are difficulties in these matters, as well as in movement, exit and coexistence, due to the checkpoints that the Israelis open without regular rules, but as they want.
H.H. commended the efforts of His Excellency President Al-Sisi, and his keenness to achieve equality and justice among all Egyptian people, and that His Excellency the President is building a new state and all the Egyptian people contribute to that, as Egypt is a strong pillar that supports neighbouring countries.
For his part, the Palestinian Minister affirmed their great appreciation for His Excellency President Al-Sisi and his achievements. The better Egypt is, the better Palestine will be.
At the end of the visit, the Minister invited His Holiness to visit Palestine and encourage the Egyptian people to visit the Holy Land.
The Minister was accompanied during the visit by the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Amjad Ghanem, the Palestinian Minister of Health, Dr. Mai Kaileh, and Dr. Riyad Al Malki, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was also attended by the Palestinian ambassador to Cairo, Ambassador Diab Al-Louh, and Ambassador Ehab Soliman, the Egyptian ambassador to Palestine.

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