Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised Egypt's pivotal and influential role in the Middle East, saying it is an essential pillar of Arab and regional security.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed that Arab unity and solidarity and the alignment of positions are the most effective ways to ward off foreign dangers from the Arab world.
They made their remarks during the second round of talks during the Egyptian leader's two-day visit to the kingdom that he concluded on Wednesday.
They exchanged views on the upcoming summit between the Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and the US, to be held in Saudi Arabia in July, hoping it will reach fruitful results that enhance the strategic partnership between the participating countries.
A joint statement issued after the Egyptian President visited Bahrain stressed the two leaders' support for the efforts aimed at reaching lasting political solutions to all crises in the region, boosting security and stability, coordinating joint efforts to combat terrorism and its funding, and protecting the area from activities threatening security and stability.
They discussed the Palestinian cause, underlining the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
They reiterated the need to return to serious and effective negotiations to achieve peace under the principle of the two-state solution, the relevant international resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, which guarantees the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The talks addressed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with King Hamad expressing Bahrain's full support for Egypt's water security, which he said is an integral part of Arab water security.
He urged Ethiopia to renounce its unilateral policy over international rivers and adhere to the relevant rules of international law.
The monarch reiterated the need to negotiate with Egypt and Sudan to reach a binding legal agreement, expressing his complete solidarity with Cairo in all the measures it takes to protect its national security.
Sisi and King Hamad stressed their support for international efforts to find a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, according to the approved international references and the Saudi initiative.
They underscored full support for Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to perform its constitutional responsibilities to achieve security, stability, and development in Yemen.
They also voiced their support for the UN truce agreement in Yemen and welcomed the announcement of its extension.
The King hailed Egypt's agreement to a request by the legitimate Yemeni government and UN to operate direct flights between Cairo and Sanaa in support of the truce and to alleviate the human suffering of the Yemeni people.
Sisi and King Hamad agreed to support Arab efforts to urge Iran to abide by the international principles of non-interference in their internal affairs, respect good neighborliness, and sparing the region all destabilizing activities.
They expressed support for international efforts to "prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, boost the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), maintain the non-proliferation system, and back the efforts to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East."
Egypt's Middle East News Agency (MENA) quoted the official spokesman of the Egyptian Presidency, Ambassador Bassam Rady, as saying that King Hamad expressed the "pride of the Bahraini government and people for the strong historic ties and close relations they have with Egypt and its people in various fields."
He said the King stressed Bahrain's deep appreciation for the strategic and pivotal role Egypt plays under Sisi's leadership in protecting Arab national security and defending the issues of the Arab nations.
Both leaders reviewed the distinguished fraternal relations between their countries and ways to bolster bilateral cooperation across various fields, stressing the importance of continuous consultation and coordination, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
Sisi also met Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace.
Prince Salman emphasized the strong bilateral ties that unite Bahrain and Egypt, noting the importance of his visit to the kingdom and the signing of MoUs and agreements that bolster bilateral relations and cooperation.
Bahrain and Egypt signed ten agreements, memoranda of understanding, and joint executive programs in the fields of economy, science and technology, law and justice, logistics, urban development, trade and investment, tourism, education, and the environment.
The deals were signed during a ceremony at al-Sakhir Palace in the presence of King Hamad and Sisi.
