Cairo, Madrid elevate relations to strategic partnership
King Felipe lauds Egypt’s role as key pillar of stability, security in ME
Sánchez reiterates backing for Egyptian stance
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with King Felipe VI of Spain, during his visit to Madrid on Wednesday.
King Felipe welcomed the Egyptian leader’s visit and voiced his country’s pride in the long-standing historical ties between the two nations and peoples, the Presidency Spokesman, Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy, said.
He added that King Felipe was keen at the beginning of the meeting to welcome President Sisi, a guest, dear to Spain, expressing his country’s pride in the extensive historical relations that bring together the two friendly countries and peoples.
He voiced hope that Sisi’s visit, his second to Madrid, would lead to boost co-operation in various fields, and build on the momentum witnessed in bilateral relations over the past years.
King Felipe also expressed Spain’s high appreciation for Egypt’s essential role and efforts as a key pillar of stability and security in the Middle East region.
For his part, President Sisi voiced gratitude for the warm reception, assuring King Felipe VI of the great appreciation that Egypt has for his country’s leadership and people, as well as its keenness on bolstering economic and investment ties and political coordination between both countries, the spokesman said.
He referred to the document signed yesterday to elevate bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership, marking the beginning of a new phase of intensive and close co-operation in various fields.
Sisi hailed Madrid’s historical support to the Palestinian cause, and stressed the need to implement the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, secure flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, and start reconstruction, with Palestinians remaining on their land.
He also pointed to the necessity of the two countries continuing efforts to ensure respect for Palestinians’ rights, on top of which their right to establish their independent state, as the only way to secure peace in the region, Shennawy added.
Also, President Sisi called on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering various fields.
Sánchez reiterated the Spain’s full agreement with Egypt’s position rejecting the displacement of Palestinians. The premier said that Spain firmly and categorically rejects the displacement of Palestinians.
Madrid will support whatever relevant decisions to be issued by the upcoming Arab summit in Cairo, pertaining to the reconstruction of Gaza and Egypt’s relevant plan, in a manner that ensures Palestinians remain on their land. He also stressed the need to implement the two-state solution.
They also stressed the need to enhance the Spanish investments in Egypt, to build on the success stories of Spanish companies operating in Egypt.
President Sisi lauded Spain’s ‘courageous and historic decision, which sided with justice, namely recognising the Palestinian state and the legitimate rights of its people, foremost of which is the right to self-determination.
They also agreed on the need to push for the revival of the peace process, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state, in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy.
We also emphasised the importance of the international community’s support and adoption of a reconstruction plan for Gaza, without displacing Palestinians from their land, in a manner that ensures immediate launch of relief and early recovery operations, President Sisi said.
In the meantime, the two sides touched on developments in Syria, as Sisi emphasised Egypt’s unwavering support for the Syrian people in achieving their legitimate aspirations.
Discussing Lebanon, they welcomed the election of a new president and a new prime minister, and emphasised the importance of upholding the cessation of hostilities agreement and the need for Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanon.
They also agreed on the necessity of intensifying collaboration to stop attacks against commercial vessels in Bab al-Mandab, and exchanged views on regional developments in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel.
President Sisi invited King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and prime minister to visit Egypt and attend the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The Monarch said he looks forward to visiting Egypt.
