President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received on Thursday Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Antonio Tajani.
The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Italy’s Ambassador in Cairo Agostino Palese, and top foreign ministry officials.
Minister Tajani conveyed to President Sisi greetings from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
President Sisi reaffirmed the importance of the long-standing bilateral relations and conveyed his greetings to the Italian prime minister, appreciating the progress achieved in the relations between the two countries, El-Shennawy added.
President Sisi sent a letter to Meloni congratulating her government on becoming the longest-serving one in the history of the Italy since the end of World War II.
The president also highlighted the notable development in bilateral ties across various fields. He also invited the Italian premier to visit Egypt to continue co-ordination and consultations on issues of mutual interest.
President Sisi stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the Egyptian-Italian Joint Committee to enhance bilateral co-operation in trade and investment, as well as developing the existing co-operation in energy, education, maritime transport, agriculture and tourism, Spokesman El-Shennawy noted.
Tajani, for his part, affirmed Rome’s keenness to deepen co-operation with Egypt and push it to broader prospects, in a manner that serves mutual interests, while continuing co-ordination to address irregular migration.
The meeting also addressed regional and international developments, as Tajani listened to President Sisi’s views on ways to contain regional tensions linked to the war involving Iran, as well as Egypt’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and contain their repercussions for regional security and stability.
The Italian chief diplomat expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to restore regional stability, noting that Italy looks forward to continuing political consultations with Egypt to achieve peaceful settlements to regional crises and promote peace and prosperity in the region.
Meanwhile, President Sisi stressed the vital importance of the Nile River issue for Egypt, describing the river as the country’s main lifeline and a matter of national security.
He underscored Egypt’s legitimate right to protect its water and food security and development interests, while firmly rejecting any unilateral actions affecting the course of the river. He also stressed the need for full compliance with international law, including the principle of avoiding harm.
The meeting also discussed developments in the Horn of Africa, with both sides agreeing on the importance of joint co-ordination to support the region’s security and stability, while respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of its states.
The two sides also stressed the need to ensure freedom of navigation through international waterways and highlighted the strategic importance of the Red Sea to Egypt’s national security.
President Sisi affirmed that safeguarding the security of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of littoral states, rejecting any attempts to destabilise the waterway or push it towards militarisation and internationalisation.
