A number of ministers and officials as well as foreign ambassadors to Cairo attended the celebration, which comes a few days ahead of Qatar National Day on 18 December. During the celebration, the Egyptian premier hailed the firm relations and brotherly and historical bonds between Egypt and Qatar, a statement by the Egyptian Cabinet read.

Madbouly stressed the need for making good use of the latent opportunities secured within the framework of the Egyptian-Qatari relations, especially at the economic level. He urged Egyptian and Qatari businessmen to work with industriousness and determination to achieve this goal.

Madbouly called for pushing forward the Egyptian-Qatari relations to new horizons and boosting the two countries' joint investments, trade, and tourism.

He also urged boosting cooperation between the two countries in strategic projects and in various sectors in which the two countries have promising capabilities, including transport and financial services.

The Egyptian premier hailed the exchange of visits between Egyptian and Qatari officials and businessmen over the past year as a clear signal of Egypt-Qatar relations. These visits also demonstrate the determination of both countries to foster bilateral relations and unlock their potential in ways that contribute to strengthening Arab capabilities in the face of ongoing regional and international challenges, Madbouly said.

He added that the current unprecedented threats ensuing from growing regional and global challenges require Arab countries to prioritise cooperation, unify their efforts, and renounce disputes. Furthermore, the premier affirmed the need for Arab states to work diligently to enhance the values of peace, security and stability based on the rules of mutual respect and on the endeavour to achieve development and prosperity for their peoples.

Qatar's Ambassador to Egypt Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi attended the celebration.

Egyptian-Qatari relations

Egypt and Qatar have boosted their relations at all levels in the wake of the Al-Ula declaration for Arab reconciliation with Qatar, which Egypt signed in Saudi Arabia in January 2021.

In September, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi made his first visit to Doha since assuming the presidency in 2014, where he held talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and witnessed the signing of a number of MoUs between the two countries.

Last June, the Qatari leader also made his first visit to Egypt since the two countries resumed their diplomatic relations.

On Wednesday, the speakers of Egypt's House of Representatives and Qatar's Consultative Assembly (Shura Council) signed a protocol of parliamentary cooperation in Doha.

Egypt and Qatar signed in June an MoU in Doha on financial policy coordination, to foster cooperation and coordinate financial visions, positions, and policies at the bilateral and international levels.

Late in March, the two countries announced establishing a high joint committee headed by their foreign ministers to boost cooperation and coordination in all fields as well as to continue consultation. The announcement came  during a visit by Qatari Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Thani to Cairo.

During the visit, Cairo and Doha also agreed on $5 billion in Qatari investments in Egypt.