Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received on Monday Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who is leading a high-ranking official delegation on an official visit to Egypt.
During the meeting, President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support to Iraq’s security and stability, voicing pride in the strategic relations binding the two countries, Presidency Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
President Sisi referred to the well-established constants of Egypt’s policy pertaining to backing Iraq and providing full support to the Iraqi people at various levels, with focus on combating terrorism and consolidating security and stability in the country.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, and Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir.
The Iraqi delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, Minister of Trade Mr Atheer Dawood and the Iraqi Ambassador in Cairo Dr Ahmed Nayef Rashid Al-Dulaim, Fahmy said.
President Sisi stressed Egypt’s keenness on activating the frameworks of bilateral co-operation in various political, economic, trade and cultural fields, Fahmy said.
The president also underlined the importance of speeding up the implementation of joint projects, in a manner that would help meet the needs of the Iraqi people, consolidate integration between the two sides to realise joint developmental goals and maintain work in line with the tripartite mechanism with Jordan, the spokesman said.
For his part, the Iraqi prime minister commended the close and historical fraternal ties binding the two countries, voicing appreciation of Egypt’s efforts in supporting Iraq at all levels.
Al-Sudani emphasised Iraq’s keenness to boost the established frameworks of bilateral co-operation, explore fresh mechanisms to push them to broader horizons, besides benefitting from Egyptian competencies in various fields.
The Iraqi prime minister also highlighted Egypt’s leading role in bolstering mechanisms of joint Arab action at the face of the current crises and challenges in the region, referring to it as a role model for maintaining stability and advancing economic and social development, Spokesman Fahmy said.
Meanwhile, the two sides exchanged views on a host of Arab and international issues of common concern, agreeing on the importance of carrying on with intensive coordination to counter regional challenges, in a way that would help achieve its peoples’ expectations to live in peace and stability.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli had earlier received his Iraqi counterpart upon the latter’s arrival at the Cairo International Airport, where a red-carpet reception was held in honour.
