‘Immediate ceasefire needed to end humanitarian crisis in Gaza’
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have agreed on elevating bilateral relations to reach the level of strategic partnership in the near future as a means of furthering development and consolidating their efforts towards building a stable and just world.
An official statement issued following President Sisi’s meeting with the Malaysian prime minister at Ittihadiya Palace on Sunday said the two leaders held in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim is currently on a four-day official visit to Egypt, which coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, President Sisi and Prime Minister Ibrahim emphasised the importance of strengthening relations binding Egypt and Malaysia across various sectors. They agreed to further enhance political ties by increasing the frequency of high-level visits between the two countries.
The two sides commended ongoing efforts to promote business co-operation in areas such as the digital economy, agricultural commodities, renewable energy, infrastructure development, transportation, maritime transport, and industry.
The two leaders also highlighted the significance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreements and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in benefiting both countries.
Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s decision to join the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2016 and reiterated Egypt’s commitmentto enhancing co-operation with ASEAN nations to promote peace, stability, and collaboration.
Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, expressed its readiness to work closely with Egypt to strengthen ASEAN-Egypt relations, the prime minister said.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, talks between President Sisi and Malaysian PM Ibrahim covered the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and condemned Israel’s war on the Strip.
Both countries, the statement said,reaffirmed the importance of advocating for peace and security in the Middle East and stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They also expressed their full support for Lebanon.
Both sides, the statement added,reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, including the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. They called on the United Nations Security Council to consider Palestine’s request for full UN membership, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES10/23, adopted on May 10, 2024.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in facilitating the delivery of Malaysian humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Both President Sisi and Prime Minister Ibrahim stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to end this humanitarian crisis and expressed their full support for Lebanon, as well as for the complete implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East region.
On BRICS affairs, both sides welcomed the approval by BRICS leaders during their recent summit in Kazan, Russia, to adopt a partner country category for the bloc.
“Egypt and Malaysia look forward to expediting the conclusion of various pending memoranda of understanding and agreements to foster more dynamic and effective co-operation across multiple sectors,” the statement said.
During the meeting, President Sisi and Prime Minister Ibrahim also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Egypt’s Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments) and Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development, focusing on co-operation in Islamic affairs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed his hope that President Sisi would visit Malaysia at an appropriate future time.
The Malaysian prime minister expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s supporting of Malaysia’s participation in BRICS. “I conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation for Egypt’s support of our participation in BRICS, underscoring our shared commitment to enhancing economic collaboration and sustainable development,” he said in remarks he posted on Facebook following the meeting with the Egyptian leader.
The discussions, he said, covered opportunities in key sectors, including investment, trade, palm oil, education, tourism, healthcare, and the development of natural resources and renewable energy.
