Italy and Egypt must strengthen their political dialogue to be able to hold "frank" discussions on terrorism and other key issues of mutual interest, foreign minister Angelino Alfano told Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Rome on Thursday.
''The priority is to make the potential for our political dialogue grow in order to hold frank, rapid and concrete discussions on topics of common concern," Alfano said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Shoukry on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues summit taking place in Rome.
"These topics include coordinating the fight against terrorism, judicial cooperation, the rule of law, management of migration and the crisis in Libya," Alfano said.
Italy stands shoulder to shoulder with Egypt in battling terrorism, Alfano told Shoukry. He reiterated Italy's condemnation and solidarity with Egypt over the "vile" attack on a Sufi mosque in North Sinai last Friday that killed over 300 people.
The two ministers also discussed the prospects for reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions, the situation in the Gulf region and in Lebanon, the foreign ministry said.
