Sisi and Mohammed bin Salman affirm unity of interests: support for Saudi Arabia, securing the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and coordination on Gaza and Sudan
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Cairo on Tuesday, affirming that the interests and objectives of the two countries are shared.
Mohammed al-Shenawy, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, stated that al-Sisi praised during the meeting the deep historical and fraternal ties linking Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shenawy clarified that the meeting witnessed consensus between the Egyptian President and the Saudi Crown Prince that relations between the two countries should serve as an ideal model within the framework of Arab relations.
Al-Sisi affirmed that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries constitutes part of Egypt’s national security, emphasizing his full rejection and condemnation of any attacks or threats targeting the sovereignty of the Kingdom or the integrity of its territory, as well as any threat to freedom of navigation in international sea lanes.
Both sides also affirmed that current circumstances require further solidarity and coordination between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, based on the unity of interests and objectives between the two countries.
President al-Sisi and the Saudi Crown Prince also agreed on the necessity of intensifying efforts to formulate and implement practical measures to develop bilateral cooperation, and to work on removing any obstacles that may hinder increasing the volume of trade and investment, thereby contributing to elevating Egyptian-Saudi relations to a level commensurate with the depth of historical ties and strategic proximity between the two countries.
Furthermore, the official spokesperson added that the discussions covered regional developments, where al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm stance in supporting Saudi Arabia and all Arab countries in the face of current regional circumstances.
The Egyptian and Saudi positions, keen on ensuring freedom and security of maritime navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab and in the Red Sea, were also reaffirmed. Al-Sisi stressed Egypt’s support for the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its security and stability, and to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, the meeting witnessed an affirmation of the alignment between Egyptian and Saudi positions on the Palestinian file, and the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement based on the two-state solution and resolutions of international legitimacy.
Emphasis was placed on the necessity of implementing the commitments of the second phase of the US President’s peace plan and Security Council Resolution 2803, along with the urgent need to allow sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid into Gaza and to halt Israeli violations in the Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
The spokesperson also noted that the continued support of Egypt and Saudi Arabia for the security and stability of Sudan was discussed, rejecting the equating of the Sudanese Armed Forces with any militias or parallel illegal entities, and stressing that any threat to the unity of Sudan and the integrity of its territory represents a danger to the collective security of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and all countries in the region.
He concluded by pointing out that the meeting also witnessed an affirmation of shared Egyptian and Saudi positions regarding support for the sovereignty and stability of all Arab countries, with the two leaders agreeing to continue consultation and direct coordination in the coming period on various bilateral issues and regional developments.
For his part, the Saudi Crown Prince expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and emphasized the firmness of the fraternal bonds between the two countries.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman also commended the continuous development of bilateral relations and the mutual keenness to continue coordination and joint cooperation, as well as exploring new horizons for cooperation in various fields.
