Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Monday that Africa represents the strategic depth of Egypt's national security. Relations with Africa are important, Abdelatty said in a meeting with senior Ministry officials Monday, noting that Egypt's economic growth hinges, in part, on the great potentials of the African market. The minister said Africa is a top priority of Egypt's foreign policy, adding that he was keen on visiting many African countries and meeting with his African counterparts since he assumed office. Abdelatty underscored the strategic importance of political, economic and military ties with African countries, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid. The top diplomat urged intensified efforts to invigorate the role of the Egyptian private sector in promoting trade exchange with African countries, Abu Zeid added. Abdelatty also directed Egyptian embassies in Africa to work to enhance cooperation with African countries in the fields of food security, clean energy, construction and infrast ructure, housing, health, agriculture and irrigation, according to the spokesman. Source: State Information Service Egypt