The Egyptian Parliament, chaired by Speaker Dr. Hanafy El Gebali, approved on Monday the formation of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council, aimed at elevating bilateral relations to an unprecedented strategic level.
The establishment of the council was announced in mid-October following discussions between Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo.
By the end of last year, the Egyptian government had approved the council’s formation, with an official statement highlighting its goal of “intensifying communication and strengthening cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt across various sectors of mutual interest.”
During a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in September, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized that the Supreme Coordination Council would serve as “an overarching framework to further deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across political, economic, trade, developmental, and investment sectors to benefit both nations.”
According to the Egyptian government’s statement, the council will comprise ministers and officials from both countries in relevant fields and will hold regular meetings alternately in both nations, with provisions for extraordinary meetings when necessary. The council will replace the previously established Joint Higher Committee Agreement.
Ahmed Fouad Abaza, chairman of the Egyptian Parliament’s Arab Affairs Committee, stated that the council aims to achieve several strategic objectives, including coordination and consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to security and stability in the region.
He added that the council would boost economic, trade, and investment partnerships by facilitating Saudi investments in Egypt and encouraging private sector collaboration between the two countries. It will also focus on exchanging expertise and information in security and defense, as well as strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism and combating organized crime.
The council will drive cooperation in key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, culture, industry, technology, telecommunications, transportation, digital transformation, infrastructure, and energy, among other vital areas, stressed Abaza.
