Sisi: Egypt rejects any infringement on the sovereignty of Red Sea states

Seychelles – Agencies: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi affirmed that the responsibility for the security of the Red Sea and the governance of its affairs lies with the riparian states, rejecting any attempts at hegemony or external presence outside the frameworks of legitimate regional cooperation. During his talks yesterday with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, which covered a number of files and issues, el-Sisi stressed Egypt’s steadfast support for stability in the Horn of Africa region and for preserving the sovereignty of its countries, declaring his rejection of any measures aimed at establishing new arrangements for access to the Red Sea at the expense of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the riparian states. In this context, el-Sisi emphasized to his South Korean counterpart the vital importance of the Nile waters as an existential issue for the Egyptian people, given that the river is the lifeline for more than 100 million citizens. He announced Egypt’s full support for development in Nile Basin countries, clarifying that Cairo firmly rejects unilateral measures that violate the principle of no harm and relevant international law rules, and that infringe upon Egypt’s historical water rights. Regarding the Palestinian issue, el-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm position calling for a just and comprehensive settlement of the issue in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution principle. This includes establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, thereby achieving lasting and just peace in the region.