CAIRO, May 25 (MENA) - Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafy Gebaly has stressed Egypt's commitment to the constants of its comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU, lauding the positive momentum in Egyptian-European relations.

Gebaly made the remarks in a meeting on Sunday with members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries (DMAS). The European Parliament's group was led by Laurent Castillo.

The House speaker said Egypt is moving ahead with implementing economic and political reforms, despite regional crises that have taken their toll on the country.

He briefed the European Parliament's delegation on the legislative and oversight role played by the Egyptian parliament in promoting human rights.

Gebaly stated that the Egyptian-European cooperation on illegal migration is based on addressing the root causes of this phenomenon.

The House speaker praised the EU's keenness to support Egypt for being a key pillar of stability in the region, especially as the country faces regional challenges and regional and international economic crises.

He called on the European side to speed up the disbursement of the €4 billion second tranche aid package by the European Union (EU) to Egypt.

Regarding the regional situation, Gebaly underlined the necessity of reaching a ceasefire and allowing the access of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, while reaffirming Egypt's firm position on rejecting the displacement of Palestinians.

The House speaker also stressed the two-state solution is the only path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieving stability and peaceful coexistence in the region.

On his part, Castillo commended the significant development in Egypt-EU relations, which have been elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, based on the EU's recognition of Egypt's important role, its political and economic influence, its strategic location and its promising future as well as the development boom it has achieved under the banner of the New Republic.

Castillo expressed appreciation of Egypt's efforts in introducing economic and political reforms, countering illegal migration and bringing about regional stability, emphasizing the urgent need to continue the European-Egyptian parliamentary dialogue, with a view to enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides. (MENA)

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