Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed on Monday the importance of maintaining coordination in stances between Arab countries to preserve their security and interests.
Sisi welcomed Sheikh Mohamed in Cairo for talks in wake of the agreement to end the US war on Iran and on the eve of the Egyptian leader's trip to Evian where he will meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Sisi and Sheikh Mohamed held expanded talks, with Egyptian Presidency spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy saying they were part of the “ongoing close consultations” between their leaderships.
Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm support for the stability and sovereignty of the UAE and the steps its leadership takes to protect the security of its territories and people, he added.
“The security of the UAE and Gulf countries is indivisible to that of Egypt’s national security,” Sisi declared.
“Egypt is committed to supporting the Gulf countries and all other Arab nations,” he declared, according to the spokesman.
For his part, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his keenness on the ongoing consultations with Sisi over various developments.
He also expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian leader’s constant support for the UAE and Gulf countries.
Sisi had visited Abu Dhabi in May where he underlined Egypt’s support for the UAE amid the escalation in the region.
Ali El-Hefny, former assistant foreign minister and secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, said the visits between the Egyptian and UAE leaders offer an opportunity to maintain consultations on the highest levels between their countries.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said Sheikh Mohamed’s visit is significant because it took place soon after the US and Iran reached an agreement to end the conflict in the region.
Relations between Egypt and the UAE have reached the level of “comprehensive strategic partnership, which demands constant follow-up so that it can be elevated further,” he went on to say.
Sheikh Mohamed’s visit offers an opportunity to achieve more cooperation over everything related to regional and international affairs, added El-Hefny.
Egypt had on Monday welcomed the US-Iran deal, saying it was significant in helping restore regional and international security and stability.
On Sisi’s upcoming meeting with Trump, El-Hefny said the leaders will tackle several issues and the talks gain greater significance in wake of the agreement with Iran.
Talks may also tackle the situation in Gaza where Egypt has been playing a mediating role.
Sisi is set to meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the G7.
