Egypt asks to join economic organization for Indian Ocean countries

Egypt has presented a formal request to the economic assembly of Indian Ocean countries in order to join as an observer in this gathering, which includes 14 countries.

Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Nagi El-Gatrify said that ratifying this request will enable Egypt to benefit from the free trade exchange between these countries and practice all activities inside the gathering except the right to vote.

El-Gatrify said the Egyptian request comes in the primary stage before demanding the complete membership in case of the members ratifying the plans to increase the membership of the group, which was established in 1995.

Current member countries are India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Madagascar, Yemen, Kenya, Oman, Mozambique, Tanzania, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.