Egyptian and Indonesian presidents call for de-escalation, self-restraint, and respect for sovereignty

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called for de-escalation in the Middle East, exercising restraint, and respecting sovereignty and international law in order to protect civilians and mitigate the impact of conflicts on global stability and the economy.

President Subianto, in a joint press conference with President el-Sisi following their talks in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, affirmed both countries’ commitment to continuing peace efforts, providing humanitarian aid, and supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He emphasized support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to live in peace.

The two presidents condemned the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and expressed concern over violence, military operations by occupying forces, and violations of international law and human rights. Subianto stressed the importance of resolving Middle East conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the UN Charter, noting that continued escalation threatens civilian safety and has severely detrimental effects on international stability, particularly the global economy.

For his part, President el-Sisi confirmed agreement with President Subianto on the necessity of reaching a comprehensive settlement leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed the need to ensure full, safe, and sustainable access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and rejected the displacement of Palestinians, the liquidation of their cause, or changes to the demographic composition of Palestinian territories.

El-Sisi said he had exchanged in-depth views with President Subianto on current regional and international developments, noting their agreement on the seriousness of ongoing conflicts and disputes in many parts of the world, which pose a direct threat to regional and international security and stability. From this perspective, they stressed the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic means in resolving crises, giving priority to achieving peace and advancing development efforts, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

He expressed appreciation for President Subianto’s participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in October 2025, highlighting the importance of Indonesia’s role and its membership in the Peace Council in supporting efforts to stabilize the region, protect civilians, rebuild infrastructure, and deliver aid.

The two presidents exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, emphasizing the importance of de-escalating tensions and resolving crises through political means that preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and support regional security and stability.

Regarding the Nile waters, President el-Sisi stressed that water security is an existential issue for Egypt, reiterating Egypt’s commitment to its historical and acquired water rights and rejecting unilateral measures that harm its interests.

On the bilateral front, the two presidents discussed during a private meeting, followed by expanded talks with delegations from both countries, ways to translate their strategic partnership into practical outcomes in economic, investment, defense, educational, and maritime fields.

Subianto explained that both sides are working toward signing an economic partnership agreement to expand market access, increase investments, and facilitate corporate participation. He welcomed the initiative to establish a joint investment fund between investment institutions in the two countries to finance strategic projects.

The two presidents witnessed the exchange of four cooperation documents, including an action plan to implement the strategic partnership, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports, cooperation in the field of statistics, and cooperation in maritime affairs and fisheries.