Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed with his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki, who is in Cairo on an official visit, the recent regional developments.
The meeting at the Federal Palace, east of Cairo, touched on the latest regional developments of mutual interest, especially the issues of the Horn of Africa, the security of the Red Sea, as well as the case of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said that during the meeting, Sisi affirmed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen relations and consolidate strategic cooperation with Eritrea in various fields, in order to establish a sustainable partnership between the two countries.
The Egyptian leader expressed his appreciation for the close historical relations, joint cooperation, and unity of visions that bind the two countries, said a statement issued by the Egyptian presidency.
Sisi stressed Egypt’s keenness on strengthening strategic cooperation with Eritrea on different levels to establish a sustainable partnership, further enhancing their coordination on issues relating to national security and processes of integration to establish peace and stability in the region.
President Sisi stressed the importance of developing projects between the two countries in the coming period while overcoming all obstacles in this regard, especially the fields of infrastructure, energy, health, trade and investment, agriculture, livestock, and fish.
He also called for intensifying technical support programs provided to the Eritrean side and diversifying the framework of joint cooperation in the military and security fields.
For his part, President Afewerki stated that his country wants to develop bilateral relations with Egypt at various levels, especially as the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region witness successive challenges and increasing foreign interferences.
He indicated that this requires cooperation and coordination with Egypt and its leadership given its pivotal role in the region in terms of maintaining peace and security.
The Eritrean leader praised the Egyptian stance aiming to achieve stability in the Horn of Africa, which was reflected in Cairo’s support for his country in the past period.