President Mohamed Morsy flew to Berlin Wednesday morning, where he is expected to discuss economic relations and regional developments with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Amid ongoing unrest in Egypt, Morsy's visit was cut from two days to several hours. He is also expected to meet with economists and members of the Egyptian community in Germany, state news agency MENA reported.
The president's delegation also includes Planning and International Cooperation Minister Ashraf al-Araby, Industry and Foreign Trade Minister Hatem Saleh, Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou, presidential aides Essam al-Haddad and Ayman Ali, Banque Misr Chairman Mohamed Barakat and presidential spokesperson Yasser Ali.
On Wednesday, Araby said his German counterpart Dirk Niebel confirmed nearly 354 million euros in financial and technical cooperation loans this year, which will go to infrastructure projects and some education and training programs under the Egyptian government's economic reform strategy.
In April the ministers met to discuss development cooperation and agreed to a number of bilateral deals in 2013.
In statements published Wednesday in German newspaper Rheinische Post, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said his country is committed to providing financial aid to Egypt, which needs sustainable foreign support.
Without investments, tourism growth and ongoing support during Egypt's transition, there will be no reliable economic future for the country, the minister told the paper, according to German news agency DPA.
Westerwelle stressed the importance of increased dialogue with Egypt, urging the international community to be patient during this turbulent time.
