Egyptian President and Saudi Crown Prince Emphasize the Importance of Ensuring Navigation Security in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab
Cairo, Sept 15 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman affirmed on Tuesday the firm stance of their countries to ensure freedom and security of maritime navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, as well as in the Red Sea.
In a statement, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy said this came during the meeting between the Egyptian President and the Saudi Crown Prince, which took place within the framework of the latter’s working visit to Egypt. The visit included reception ceremonies featuring a commemorative photo session, followed by a closed-door bilateral meeting between the two leaders, and then an expanded round of talks attended by delegations from both countries.
The spokesperson added that the talks addressed regional developments and current challenges. President el-Sisi stressed Egypt’s support for the measures undertaken by the Kingdom to protect its security and stability, and for reaching a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Yemeni crisis. He noted that el-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s steadfast position in supporting the Kingdom and all Arab countries in the face of current regional circumstances, emphasizing the need to intensify coordination and communication between the two nations.
The official spokesperson stated that the Saudi Crown Prince expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s positions under President el-Sisi’s leadership in supporting regional stability and peace efforts, commending Egyptian solidarity and support for the Kingdom in confronting recent geopolitical challenges.
He clarified that the meeting witnessed agreement between President el-Sisi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that relations between Egypt and the Kingdom can only be exemplary within the Arab framework, and that Saudi security and the security of Gulf states are part of Egypt’s national security. He added that Egypt fully reserves, rejects, and condemns any aggression or threats against the sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, or against freedom of navigation in international sea lanes.
According to the statement, the two leaders agreed on the necessity of intensifying efforts to formulate and implement practical measures to develop bilateral cooperation and remove any obstacles that might hinder increasing trade and investment volumes, thereby elevating relations to a level commensurate with the historical ties and strategic proximity between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He pointed out that the meeting also saw reaffirmation of shared Egyptian and Saudi positions regarding support for the sovereignty and stability of all Arab countries. President el-Sisi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to continue direct consultation and coordination in the coming period on various bilateral issues and regional developments.
The spokesperson said the meeting also witnessed agreement on identical Egyptian and Saudi positions regarding the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement based on the two-state solution and resolutions of international legitimacy. They stressed the need to implement the commitments of the second phase of the American peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, as well as the urgent need to allow sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and to halt violations by the Israeli occupation in the Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
He further noted that it was reaffirmed that Egypt and Saudi Arabia will continue to support the security and stability of Sudan, insisting on the exclusive role of Sudan’s national institutions and rejecting any equivalence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and any militias or parallel illegal entities. They emphasized that any threat to the unity of Sudan and the integrity of its territory constitutes a danger to the collective security of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and all countries in the region. (End) A.S.M / A.M.S
