CAIRO – The editors-in-chief of MENA and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stressed that the ongoing coordination between the leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia is deemed a safety valve to ensure security in the Arab region, especially in light of the current global challenges.
Chairman of MENA Board of Directors and Editor-in-Chief Mr Ali Hassan received President of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran and his accompanying delegation here on Monday, where they probed an array of media-related issues of mutual interest, as well as news-sharing and training cooperation.
Hailing the deeply-rooted ties between the sisterly Arab nations in all fields under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the two sides have also asserted the importance of these ties for preserving Arab national security and stability.
Hassan underlined the role of media in supporting Arab causes, promoting intra-Arab relations in general, and Egyptian-Saudi relations in particular.
“The relationship between both news agencies embodies the robust ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia under the wise leadership of President Sisi and King Salman,” MENA chief said, citing President Sisi’s assertions on many occasions that the Gulf security is an integral part of Egypt’s national security.
Highlighting the convergent viewpoints between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Hassan also emphasized the importance of the Saudi crown prince’s current visit to Egypt in light of the great economic and political challenges facing the Arab region.
He said the visit has contributed to boosting joint Arab action and driving development in the two Arab nations.
Hassan concluded by underlining the need to enhance cooperation between both news agencies, and coordinate their positions during joint events and conferences to ensure objective news coverage and presenting facts in both countries.
Meanwhile, President of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Fahd bin Hassan Al Aqran said the two news outlets are jointly responsible for ensuring the provision of quality news services, while highlighting the robust ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and countering malicious campaigns aimed at harming the interests of both nations.
“No one could undermine the strong decades-long relations between both countries,” SPA chief said, expressing hope that such meetings would lead to tangible results in terms of media cooperation and bilateral ties.
For his part, President Saudi Arabia’s Radio and Television Corporation Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi said the progress Egypt has been witnessing in all sectors is attracting the attention of all countries in the region.
Taking pride in the comprehensive development Egypt is seeing under the leadership of President Sisi, Harthi said his country is also witnessing major development that is based on the kingdom’s vision for 2030, which would not only serve Saudi Arabia, but the entire Arab region as well.
Harthi added that such development must also include the media sector. He stressed the need to showcase the various aspects of development in both countries.
Meanwhile, Saudi journalist Adwan bin Mohammed al-Ahmari said that the Saudi-Egyptian relationship “sets an example to follow for joint Arab action,” underscoring the importance of furthering cooperation between MENA and the official Saudi news agency.
On the margins of the Saudi delegation’s visit, MENA hosted a dialogue session on “Egyptian-Saudi relations and media role in cementing fraternal ties between both countries.”
