Establishing Palestinian state only way for lasting peace in ME
President terms water as existential issue for Egypt
Rwanda’s president lauds Cairo’s efforts in leading post-conflict reconstruction, development
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Tuesday received Rwanda President Paul Kagame at Cairo’s AL Ittihadiya Palace yesterday, where an official reception was held, followed by a closed meeting between the two presidents.
This was followed by expanded meeting with the participation of the delegations of the two countries, Presidency Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
Welcoming President Kagame, President Sisi lauded the close historical relations between Egypt and Rwanda.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining work to boost bilateral co-operation in various sectors.
President Sisi said Egypt is keen on continuing support for Rwanda in achieving its development aspirations, and its readiness to strengthen co-operation in the field of capacity-building, to contribute to the success of Rwanda’s Development Vision 2050, the Presidency Spokesman said.
For his part, President Kagame commended the existing co-operation between the two countries, and the mutual benefit it achieves for the two peoples, noting that Rwanda hopes to expand this fruitful co-operation with Egypt, El-Shennawy.
Sisi told a press conference following the talks that he held constructive and fruitful discussions with President Kagame, “to push our relations towards broader horizons, particularly in health, education, capacity building, transport, trade and investment, water resources management, pharmaceutical and medical supplies industry, and construction.
Meanwhile, the two leaders addressed a host of regional and international issues, foremost of which the latest developments in the Great Lakes region. In this regard, President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for achieving security and stability in the region, as well as facing challenges that hinder development and prosperity.
The two sides also discussed the developments of the situation in the Horn of Africa and means of boosting peace and security in the region.
They also touched on the developments of the crisis in Sudan, as well as the files of the joint African work.
‘We agreed to continue coordination and exchange of views between Cairo and Kigali in a manner that contributes to achieving security and stability in the continent, Sisi told the conference.
Sisi and Kagame exchanged views on ways to enhance integration among the Nile Basin countries, and agreed to continue consultation and coordination to counter common challenges and achieve sustainable development for the region.
They also stressed respect for international law in the management of transboundary rivers.
President Sisi said he discussed with President Kagamethe Nile water issue. I emphasised to His Excellency the President that this issue is an existential matter for Egypt and its people, and that we do not accept any infringement on our water rights, while we show complete openness to constructive cooperation with our brothers in the Nile Basin countries to manage this vital resource in a manner that achieves shared development, far from hegemony or harming the interests of any party, President Sisi said.
I also noted that we looked forward to Rwanda’s continued positive role in promoting understanding and cooperation in the Nile Basin region and taking into account Egyptian concerns regarding this crucial issue, he added
In addition, the talks dwelt on co-operation within the African Union, as the two leaders agreed to continue coordination and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
President Kagame lauded President Sisi’s efforts in leading the file of post-conflict reconstruction and development. President Sisi expressed appreciation for his Rwandan counterpart in advancing the file of institutional reform within the Union.
Addressing the Palestinian cause, the two leaders discussed the developments following the Two-State Solution conference in New York and the increase in the countries that recognised the State of Palestine.
President Sisi briefed his Rwandan counterpart on Egypt’s efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza and to intensify the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip.
Sisi stressed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people out of their land, noting that establishing a Palestinian independent state on borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital is the sole way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
Following the talks the two presidents witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding various fields, including water resources management, the exchange of land allocations for logistical, economic, and trade purposes, police cooperation, housing, and the promotion and protection of investment.
