Anchor: President Lee Jae Myung has concluded his official visit to Egypt and will now head to South Africa. In Cairo, Lee held summit talks with his Egyptian counterpart and also unveiled his policy vision for the Middle East as South Korea and Egypt mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. 
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.  

Report: President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday held summit talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. 

The two leaders agreed to strengthen their countries' joint partnership to promote peace, prosperity and culture. 

Lee said the two nations had agreed to act as "facilitators of peace" on the Korean Peninsula, in the Middle East and worldwide.

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 that their partnership in the sector will grow beyond the joint production of K9 howitzers to include FA-50 trainer aircraft and the Cheongeom air-launched anti-tank guided missile.

Following the summit, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a press briefing that the two leaders had agreed to establish a direct communication channel between the nations to facilitate collaboration.

Wi added that the two nations had signed memorandums of understanding on education and cultural cooperation and that South Korea had agreed to assist with Gaza's reconstruction during the discussion.

Lee unveiled his “SHINE Initiative” for the Middle East, standing for stability, harmony, innovation, network and education, at Cairo University after the summit.

The president said the initiative, covering peace, prosperity and culture, aims to foster a mutually beneficial future for the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.

Over the weekend, the president will attend the Group of 20 summit and hold bilateral meetings with leaders from France, Germany and other member nations in Johannesburg, South Africa. 
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.