President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, agreeing to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East while expanding cooperation in the economy, defense and culture.

At a joint press briefing Thursday after the summit, Lee said the two sides pledged to strengthen the foundation for cooperation benefiting future generations, broaden their partnership as cultural leaders and enhance solidarity to advance peace in both regions.

Lee said the two nations agreed to act as “facilitators of peace,” contributing jointly to international stability, including efforts on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East.

The leaders also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, describing it as a key framework for expanding bilateral economic ties.

Lee said the two sides discussed ways to deepen “mutually beneficial” defense cooperation, expressing hope it will grow beyond the joint production of K9 howitzers to include the FA-50 trainer aircraft and the Cheongeom air-launched anti-tank guided missile.

On the sidelines of the summit, the two nations also signed memoranda of understanding on education and cultural cooperation.