Sisi, Guelleh stress need to intensify Red Sea security
Djibouti president lauds Cairo’s efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi asserted that Egypt rejects imposing a fait accompli in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file, adding that a fair and balanced agreement must be reached on the filing and operation rules of the dam.
This came during a press conference President Sisi held with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh in Djibouti Thursday, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
President Sisi told the press conference that he agreed with the Djiboutian president to intensify co-operation on the security of the Red Sea.
The two leaders had earlier held summit talks during which they also agreed on the importance of
reaching a fair and balanced legal agreement on filling and operating the dam in such a way that achieves the interests of Egypt, Sudan
and Ethiopia and preserves regional stability.
President Sisi also emphasised the need for all parties to the negotiations process to demonstrate goodwill and the necessary political will.
Red Sea security
The two leaders also underscored the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries as part of efforts to combat terrorism and all forms of organised crime in the Horn of Africa.
This comes in addition to co-operation in the security file of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait to achieve security and economic development in the region, especially as Egypt and Djibouti face the same challenges and share the same vision therein.
The two leaders also expressed the aspiration to continue work in this respect through the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and to confront any attempt by parties from outside the region to impose their vision on the region.
Bilateral ties
On bilateral co-operation, President Guelleh expressed his country’s appreciation for the close and historical co-operation with Egypt, appreciating the sincere and persistent Egyptian efforts towards supporting economic reforms and development paths in Djibouti as well as the centrality of the Egyptian role in supporting stability in the African continent.
President Guelleh also affirmed that there are broad prospects for developing co-operation between the two countries in many fields, especially at the economic, security and development levels. In this context, he praised Egyptian companies for their contribution to development efforts in the African continent.
He also voiced his country’s aspiration to increase activities of the private sector in Djibouti and his country’s keenness to provide all facilities and supportive atmosphere for that. He also expressed appreciation for the technical support, capacity building programmes and training for cadres from Djibouti in various civil and military fields.
President Sisi also stressed Egypt’s keenness to enhance support for development efforts in Djibouti, especially with the presence of broad prospects for developing economic co-operation and increasing trade between the two countries as well as maximising co-operation in combating extremist ideology, infrastructure, energy, health, aviation, port linking, education and culture.
Palestinian cause
The two leaders also discussed the developments of the Palestinian cause as Djibouti president appreciated the Egyptian efforts that led to reaching a ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. For his part, President Sisi affirmed that Egypt’s involvement in those efforts stems from its historical responsibility towards the Palestinian cause.
The two presidents stressed the importance of engaging in the political settlement process to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict in accordance with international terms of reference.
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