CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Wednesday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo.

During their meeting, they discussed the prospects of further consolidating the ties between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. They also reviewed several regional and international issues of interest.

Abu Dhabi crown prince is leading a high-level delegation that includes UAE's National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and other top officials.

Sheikh Mohamed and President El-Sisi highlighted the efforts of their countries to face the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the importance of strengthening their cooperation and coordination in containing the regional and international humanitarian and economic repercussions of the pandemic and preparing for the recovery phase.

They also addressed the current developments in the Arab region and related challenges and crises while underlining their support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at advancing the peace process, opening new prospects for regional relations,and establishing stability in the Middle East based on cooperation and coexistence.

Sheikh Mohamed wished Egypt continued success in combatting the pandemic and its people safety and good health, stressing the UAE’s constant readiness to help Egypt address the pandemic, and affirming that their bilateral relations are fraternal and strategic and have been based on compassion, understanding, mutual respect and common destiny since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

For his part, President El-Sisi welcomed Sheikh Mohamed to "his second home", stressing that the visit is a further motivation for strengthening their fraternal bilateral ties to wider prospects of joint action and overall cooperation.

El-Sisi also hailed the efforts of Sheikh Mohamed to achieve peace, stability, and development in the region, and commended the significant development in the overall relationship between the UAE and Egypt, most notably their political, economic, security and military relations, as well as the significant growth in their bilateral trade and investments, stressing the two countries' keenness to further develop their bilateral ties.

During the meeting, both sides discussed their cooperation in the energy field, and El-Sisi welcomed the UAE's accession to the EastMed Gas Forum as an observer state, explaining the significant value the UAE is adding to the forum’s activities in order to serve strategic goals and boost joint cooperation and partnership between member states.

The Egyptian president highlighted Egypt's commitment to Gulf security "as an extension of Egyptian national security", rejecting any practices that seek to destabilize it.

At the end of the meeting, both sides highlighted their keenness to continue their consultations and coordination on issues of mutual concern to help establish the foundations of security, stability, peace, and development in the region.

They also stressed the importance of the recent historic peace accords witnessed by the region on establishing regional and international stability and security and opening up new relations between the region’s countries.

El-Sisi and Sheikh Mohamed emphasized their common belief in the importance of countering the risks threatening the security and stability of the region’s countries and communities. — WAM