Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed a declaration on Saturday to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership, marking a significant milestone in the relations between the two nations.
The declaration was signed during President Subianto’s official visit to Egypt, which began with a ceremonial reception at Al-Ittihadiya Palace. The two leaders were welcomed with an official guard of honor and the playing of both national anthems.
Following the ceremony, President Sisi and President Subianto held a one-on-one meeting, which was succeeded by an expanded session of talks attended by senior officials and ministers from both sides. According to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El Shennawy, the discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing the aspirations of the Egyptian and Indonesian peoples.
The strategic partnership aims to strengthen cooperation across several key sectors, including manufacturing, trade, investment, information and communication technology, food security, and energy. Both leaders emphasized the need for collaboration between government entities and private sector stakeholders to realize the objectives of the agreement.
“The agreement calls for enhanced linkages between business communities in both countries, with the goal of promoting sustainable development and advancing shared interests,” said Shennawy.
The talks also explored opportunities for expanding defense cooperation, particularly in training, capacity building, and knowledge exchange, in light of the growing regional and global security challenges. The two presidents reaffirmed the importance of coordinated efforts with allied and friendly nations to address these issues.
Cultural collaboration was another focal point of the discussions, with both leaders expressing their commitment to preserving and building upon the longstanding cultural ties between Egypt and Indonesia.
Regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, featured prominently in the dialogue. President Sisi briefed his counterpart on Egypt’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected population.
The two leaders stressed the urgent need to commence reconstruction efforts in Gaza while ensuring the non-displacement of its residents. They also underscored the importance of reaching a just and lasting political solution based on international legitimacy and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
As part of the official visit, President Sisi accompanied President Subianto to the Egyptian Military Academy, where they were received by Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, the academy’s director. President Subianto was briefed on the academy’s training and qualification programs, and the leaders viewed documentary presentations on Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and the academy itself.
The visit marks a new chapter in Egypt–Indonesia relations, setting the stage for expanded collaboration and strategic alignment between the two influential nations.
