HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Egyptian President discuss bilateral ties, regional ​challenges

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, held talks with visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi about fraternal bilateral ties and a variety of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

HH Sheikh Mohamed and President el Sisi discussed the state of affairs of the brotherly bilateral ties and joint strategic cooperation in various domains within the context of the two countries' commitment to further solidify them for mutual interests.

The two sides also reviewed prospects of joint co-operation and co-ordination on issues of interest to them in political, economic and development fields, which were witnessing increasing growth.

In this respect, the two sides affirmed their sincere desire to consolidate the strategic partnerships between them, noting their strength, dynamism and significance at this delicate chapter of the region's history.

HH said, ''The UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscores its firm, supportive position to Egypt in order to maintain its security and stability and spur its economic and developmental growth.'' President el-Sisi expressed his gratitude to the UAE for the constructive role it plays in backing Egypt and for its honourable standing beside the Egyptian people, for supporting economic and developmental fields, which fuels the engine of growth and bolsters stability.

He wished further progress and development to UAE-Egypt's ties.

The Egyptian president emphasised Egypt's commitment to safeguard security and stability of the UAE and GCC countries and to stand with them in confronting challenges they may face.

The talks took stock of the current regional and international events and developments and exchanged views on a host of topics of mutual concern.

With regards to the Syrian crisis, the two leaders stressed the need for concerted coordination with regional and international powers to end the crisis through political solutions that safeguard security and safety of a united Syria and protect its national institutions in a way that realises aspirations of the Syrian people and supports its national will and choices. 

The two sides also reaffirmed the importance of strengthening channels of communication, cooperation and dialogue with the international community so as to reach common solutions to various regional and international challenges and issues.

As far as Yemen is concerned, the two sides discussed the role of the Arab Coalition's ''Operation Restoring Hope'' to support the legitimate government in Yemen and confront security challenges that threaten the region as well as achievements made by the Coalition on the ground including protection of navigation routes in Bab Al Mandab, a development which will encourage and ensure free movement of international trade.

As they reviewed the latest situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, the two sides affirmed the importance of protecting the Palestinian people from the systematic Israeli aggressions.

On Libya, HH Sheikh Mohamed and President el Sisi discussed efforts being made by the United Nations to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

The UAE and Egypt also underscored the need for continuing efforts aimed at enforcing Arab solidarity and co-operation so as to address and confront challenges facing the Arab region, protect its capabilities, counter extremism, violence and terrorist organisations and extremist groups that seek undermine pillars of security, peace and stability of countries and their national institutions.

Attending the talks from the UAE side were H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, Ali Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of National Security Council, Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi.

Present from the Egyptian side were Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian Foreign Minister, and Ashraf Salman, Minister of Investment, along with a number of senior officials.