Sisi, Abu Dhabi crown prince agree on boosting cooperation to protect Arab security

Ahram Online , Saturday 24 Apr 2021

Sisi received Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, today at Cairo International Airport

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (Egyptian Presidency

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed agreed on boosting Egyptian-Emirati cooperation to protect Arab national security and seek political settlement in regional issues as they met in Cairo on Saturday.

El-Sisi received Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, today at Cairo International Airport.

Bin Zayed last visited Cairo in December last year.

As they held talks, El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s keenness to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation with the UAE in various fields, a statement by the Egyptian Presidency read.

El-Sisi also called for intensifying bilateral meetings between key officials from both countries to coordinate on the successive developments that the Middle East region currently witnesses. This also aims at unifying Arab and Islamic joint work to face regional challenges.

El-Sisi and bin Zayed agreed on maximising Egyptian-Emirati cooperation and coordination as a main pillar to protect Arab national security.

Abu Dhabi

They both also agreed on the need to counter foreign interference in sovereign affairs within the region's countries, which has previously fuelled tensions, conflicts and terror as well as extremist activities, the statement read.

El-Sisi, in this regard, reiterated Egypt’s unwavering stance towards the Gulf's security and rejection of any practices that attempt to destabilise it.

El-Sisi and bin Zayed discussed a number of regional issues along with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file. The statement said that the discussions had witnessed mutual understanding between the two leaders on the means of dealing with these issues.

The leaders agreed on continuing joint efforts to reach political settlements for the ongoing crises in some countries of the region and to restore these countries’ national institutions as well as preserve their resources.

They agreed that these efforts should be made especially through formulating a comprehensive vision to develop the system of joint Arab action.

This development should seek to enhance Arab capability in tackling the growing challenges and threats facing regional security, the statement added.

Bin Zayed highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role with in the region as a main pillar of security and stability.

El-Sisi and bin Zayed expressed their satisfaction on the level of ongoing cooperation between their two countries, as according to the statement.

However, they affirmed the need to enhance this bilateral cooperation, especially in economy and investments, by making optimum use of the available opportunities to enhance Egyptian-Emirati integrity.

The Abu Dhabi crowned prince also hailed the significant and qualitative development of the Egyptian-Emirati relations in political, economic, security, military fields as well as others.

Bin Zayed also hailed the remarkable growth of trade exchange and investments between the two countries, voicing keenness to move forward towards deepening and developing these ties, the statement noted.

The two leaders extended greetings to each other during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Bin Zayed wished further prosperity and progress for the Egyptian people.

El-Sisi voiced the Egyptian people and leadership’s appreciation for the UAE in light of the historic relations, binding the two sisterly countries and the deep and strong strategic depth they share, the statement said.

Bin Zayed said his current visit to Egypt comes as a continuation of the special path to cooperation between the governments and people of the two countries, in support of bilateral relations at all levels.

Egypt and the UAE share warm relations and similar stances on the majority of issues of mutual concern. Also, frequent high-level visits haven taken place by officials from the two countries over the past few years.

Cooperation between the two countries also included the UAE’s transference of 50,000 coronavirus doses - developed by China’s Sinopharm - to Egypt late last year.

El-Sisi has also been keen on congratulating the UAE on various occasions and achievements, including signing the UAE-Israeli normalisation agreement along with the UAE’s operation of its 'Barakah' nuclear energy plant last year.

Short link: