Egypt and Saudi Arabia praised the positive outcome of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to Egypt, which contributed to expanding the scope of cooperation and developing relations between the two countries.
The two sides noted the Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, to be an effective platform for strengthening relations between the two countries and pushing them towards broader horizons, in a way that achieves common interests.
The joint statement issued by the two sides at the conclusion of the visit to Egypt stated that the Egyptian side appreciated the efforts made by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, praising the high level of coordination between the two countries to achieve the comfort of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors from Egypt.
Sisi congratulated Bin Salman on the occasion of Riyadh’s hosting of the 2030 World Expo. The Crown Prince appreciated the support and endorsement of the government of Egypt for the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The two sides praised the level of trade between the two countries, as the volume of trade exchange until the first half of 2024 amounted to approximately USD 804 bln, with a growth rate of 41 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
The Kingdom is Egypt’s second trade partner in the world, the two sides said.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of continuing joint efforts between the two countries to develop the volume of trade exchange, overcome any challenges that may face the development of trade relations, continue holding the joint business council, intensify the exchange of official visits and trade and investment delegations, encourage the establishment of joint projects, and holding trade and investment events, to discuss available and promising opportunities in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Egypt’s Vision 2030 and transform them into tangible partnerships.
The two sides praised the progress of work in implementing the electrical interconnection project between the Saudi and the Egyptian grids, and stressed the importance of strengthening existing cooperation in the fields of electricity, renewable energy and their technologies, developing their projects and partnership opportunities in these fields.
They praised the existing cooperation regarding the supplies of Saudi crude oil and its derivatives, petrochemicals to Egypt, and to continue exploring opportunities for joint cooperation in these areas to contribute to the sustainability of demand for energy supplies globally.
The two sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of energy efficiency, and rationalizing its consumption in the building, transportation and industry sectors, and welcomed exploring ways of cooperation between them in the field of clean hydrogen, developing technologies related to hydrogen transportation and storage, and exchanging experiences to apply best practices in the field of clean hydrogen projects.
The Saudi side affirmed its support for the green transformation plans in Egypt, and the national strategy for renewable energy and hydrogen.
The two sides stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, or Paris Agreement, and the need to develop climate agreements and implement them.
On the defense and security fronts, the two sides expressed their determination to enhance cooperation in the defense field, in a way that serves common interests of the two countries.
They praised the level of security cooperation between them, and expressed their desire to enhance it, especially in the areas of combating crimes in all their forms, combating drugs, terrorism and extremism crimes and their financing, border security, and cybersecurity, through the exchange of information in these areas, which contributes to supporting and enhancing the security and stability of the two countries and achieving international security and peace.
The two sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two countries to spread the culture of moderation and tolerance, combat extremism and fanaticism, hate speech and terrorism, and confront concepts and practices that conflict with Islamic and Arab values.
The Saudi side praised the economic reforms pursued by Egypt in accordance with its reform programs, and expressed its continued support for the Egyptian government through international financial organizations and institutions, in a way that achieves economic stability and encourages growth in Egypt.
Regarding the developments in Palestine, the two sides expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and the brutal war that the Strip is witnessing, which has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 innocent civilians killed or injured as a result of the heinous attacks of the Israeli occupation authorities. They highlighted the need to seek a sustainable truce, a permanent ceasefire, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and protecting civilians in accordance with international law and humanitarian law.
The two sides condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Islamic holy sites in al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem), expressing their categorical rejection of any attempts to change the historic, religious and legal status quo.
They stressed the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people their right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with al-Quds as its capital.
In this regard, they welcomed the launch of the international coalition to implement the two-state solution, in partnership with the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway, and their invitation to other countries to join this coalition. The Egyptian side also appreciated the Saudi Kingdom’s proposal to hold a joint Arab-Islamic summit to follow up the Israeli aggression and protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The two sides welcomed the positive decisions taken by a number of countries to recognize the State of Palestine, and renewed their call to the rest of the countries that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state to expedite taking similar steps that contribute to supporting a reliable path to achieve just peace and fulfill the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
On the Lebanese issue, the two sides expressed their deep concern over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon, and stressed their keenness on the security, stability and unity of Lebanese territories, and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They expressed their full solidarity with the Lebanese people in the current crisis, and stressed the importance of enabling the Lebanese state with all its institutions to carry out its duties and extend its sovereignty over all Lebanese territories, and the importance of the role of the Lebanese army in preserving Lebanon’s security and stability.
The two sides also reaffirmed the importance of the international community, especially the UN Security Council, assuming its responsibilities to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Lebanon, and preventing the expansion of the scope of the ongoing conflict in the region, stressing the importance of fully implementing the Taif Agreement and relevant international resolutions.
On the Yemeni issue, the two sides voiced their full support for the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, and the importance of supporting international efforts and its stability.
Egypt praised the Kingdom’s efforts and numerous initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue and reconciliation among the Yemeni parties, and its role in providing and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to all regions of Yemen.
The Saudi side praised the Egyptian role in reducing escalation in the region and supporting efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Yemeni crisis in a way that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people.
The two sides stressed the importance of the Houthis’ positive engagement with efforts aimed at ending the Yemeni crisis and seriously dealing with peace initiatives and efforts.
The two sides stressed the importance of preserving the security and stability of the Red Sea region, where freedom of navigation is an international requirement and the necessity of sparing it any risks or threats that affect regional security and peace, the regional security and peace movement, the global movement and the international economy.
Regarding the Sudanese issue, the two sides stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue through the Jeddah platform between the two parties to the Sudanese conflict to reach a complete ceasefire, end the crisis and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, and preserve the unity and sovereignty of Sudan and all its national institutions.
On the Libyan issue, the two sides affirmed their support for the Libyan-Libyan solution, the roadmap sponsored by the United Nations, and the efforts of the United Nations envoys to reach a political solution, leading to holding presidential and parliamentary elections in parallel, unifying state institutions, the unity of the Libyan army, and the withdrawal of all foreign forces, militias and mercenaries from Libya, to achieve what the Libyan people aspire for.
On the Somali issue, the two sides praised the reforms and restoration of security and stability in many Somali regions achieved by Somalia under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohmud, and agreed on the importance of the international community’s support for Somalia in order to complete the mission of eliminating terrorism.
The two sides welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution to lift the arms embargo on Somalia, and the decision to debt cancellation of Somalia by international creditors.
They affirmed the decision of the Arab League regarding supporting the security, stability, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, and stressed the need to adhere to the principles of good neighborliness, prevailing wisdom and sparing the region the risks of tension and conflicts.
The Saudi side welcomed the Egyptian efforts to support stability and maintain the unity and integrity of the Somali territories, and praised the Egyptian offer to participate in the new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, which would contribute to restoring security and peace and achieving the aspirations of the Somali people.
