Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visits the Military Academy in Cairo (Courtesy of the Presidential spokesman)
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi paid tribute to the United Arab Emirates, referring to the first batch of Chinese coronavirus vaccine shots that arrived in Cairo on Thursday night from the Gulf, the presidency said in a statement.
Egypt has received doses of the vaccine developed by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm at Cairo Airport, as the Health ministry said it has proven 86 percent effectiveness against coronavirus.
As he made an early-morning visit to the headquarters of the Military Academy in Cairo on Saturday, the president hailed the special level of relations Egypt maintains with Gulf countries, especially the UAE, Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said.
El-Sisi held an open discussion with new students at the academy and spoke with them about the state’s efforts to deal with the coronavirus crisis in scientific and balanced ways.
The president referred to the state’s adherence to preventive measures, preparation of isolation hospitals and mobilization of relevant state institutions to address the crisis.
El-Sisi also spoke about the outcome of his recent visit to France, Rady added which reflected their mutual understanding and joint coordination to achieve stability within the region.
He also referred to bilateral efforts in enhancing military, security and cultural cooperation.
The president reiterated main standards of Egyptian policy, including openness to all great-power states and the establishment of balanced and moderate relations with these states to support construction and development efforts, away from “polarization and axes” policies.
Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki and Army Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid had accompanied the president.
The Saturday visit came in light of “the president’s keenness to follow up on programs to train and qualify students of the Military Academy,” Rady said.
El-Sisi checked physical training stages at the academy, including horse riding training. He also took part with students in some morning activities, including cycling, and had breakfast with them.
He congratulated new students on joining the academy and affirmed his keenness to communicating with them as they start college.
El-Sisi praised the high capabilities and skills of the academy students, as well as their efforts to reach the highest level of preparedness across their college years.
He asked students to maintain military values of discipline, diligence, commitment and willingness to receive knowledge so that they become a good model for other youth.
Eventually, he praised efforts and sacrifices of the Armed Forces’ personnel to protect and preserve the stability of the nation, affirming people’s appreciation of these efforts.
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