Sisi-Tebboune summit highlights vast potentials of co-operation in investment, joint projects
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has commended the summit talks with visiting Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as positive and constructive especially for having explored new avenues for co-operation between Egypt and Algeria in the fields of investment and joint projects.
Speaking to a joint press conference with President Tebboune following their summit talks at the Ittihadia Palace on Sunday, President Sisi stressed that there are tremendous opportunities for co-operation with Algeria, both in terms of investment and joint projects. “We discussed ways to develop relations across various fields, with a view to expanding vistas of co-operation,” President Sisi said.
He added that the ninth joint Egyptian-Algerian Committee will convene soon in Cairo to explore further areas of collaboration between the two countries, noting that agreement with Algeria to enhance relations since his first visit and meeting with President Tebboune has been evident and robust.
President Sisi praised the favourable treatment received by Egyptian companies operating in Algeria. He noted that Egypt is home to over 5,000 companies capable of engaging in various fields, particularly in infrastructure projects such as energy, power stations, water treatment facilities, tunnels, roads, bridges, and housing.
In this connection, President Sisi emphasised that there is a substantial number of companies in Egypt ready to share their expertise with their Algerian counterparts and undertake joint projects.
The Egyptian leader congratulated President Tebboune and the Algerian people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Algerian Revolution, underscoring that this revolution has long been admired and cherished by the Egyptian people, acknowledging the sacrifices and struggle of the Algerian people for liberation, which resulted in over one million martyrs.
On political issues, President Sisi said the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the developments in Libya and the Sudan were discussed during the summit talks. Regarding Gaza, President Sisi stressed the Arab consensus on the importance of reaching a ceasefire, delivering humanitarian aid, and releasing hostages and Palestinian captives.
President Sisi said that the Strip has been under blockade for nearly four months. “All efforts made with partners and brothers aim to establish a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the president said.
During the press conference, President Sisi announced that Egypt has recently made efforts to launch an initiative aimed at advancing the situation and establishing a two-day ceasefire, during which four hostages would be exchanged for prisoners held in Israeli jails. And within ten days, negotiations would continue to achieve a complete ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the president said.
President Sisi emphasised that Gazans are experiencing severe hardships, approaching starvation, highlighting the urgent need to deliver humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible.
President Sisi reiterated that we are against any attempts at forced displacement from Gaza, as this is not in the best interest of the Palestinian cause. At the same time, we are playing a role in stopping the violence and preserving the stability of the Middle East region, the president said.
Regarding the Lebanese crisis, President Sisi noted mutual understanding with the Algerian president on the importance of containing the conflict within the region. He stressed the necessity of halting hostilities and restoring stability to the deeply-troubled region, to prevent the potential escalation into a wider war and greater risks.
On the situation in the Sudan, President Sisi reiterated accord on the need for a ceasefire and the establishment of a government that would lead to elections, ensuring stability. He stressed that views were identical on the importance of not interfering in Sudan’s internal affairs while attempting to de-escalate tensions as much as possible.
Concerning Libya, the president stated that a responsible Libyan government should hold elections and take on legitimate leadership of the state. He affirmed that Egypt maintains a firm position that the solution to the crisis must be Libyan-led, free from external interference.
For his part, President Tebboune said Egypt is his country’s largest trading partner in the region, with Algerian imports from Egypt reaching approximately one billion dollars. He referred to the expansion of investments in the energy sector and gas exploration in Algeria’s southern and offshore regions.
He also highlighted that Egyptian companies, such as the Arab Contractors, are actively contributing to construction projects and infrastructure development in Algeria, reiterating that Algeria is open to all Egyptian companies.
