SHARM EL SHEIKH – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi asserted Egypt’s firm stance regarding the necessity of reaching a legal binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to achieve the common interests of all parties and preserve Egypt’s water security.
This came in response to queries by a number of members of the delegation accompanying US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is currently taking part in the UN Climate Summit Conference.
Sisi reviewed with the US delegation the current status as regards the GERD.
Presidential Spokesman said Sisi held a tete-a-tete session of talks with Pelosi and it was followed by a plenary session with her accompanying delegation who were welcomed by the Egyptian president.
Sisi also asserted that Egypt has maintained strategic relations with the US over many decades, adding that Cairo was looking forward to enhancing such relations within the framework of mutual respect and maintaining of joint interests, especially amid the current regional disturbances, instability, danger of terrorism along with the negative repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war on the world food security and energy.
Sisi also affirmed that Egypt continues to fight terrorism and extremist thoughts which spread violence, sabotage and destruction of countries.
Pelosi, on her part, voiced her appreciation for Egypt’s efforts and its pivotal role as a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East.
She also praised the joint cooperation relations between the two countries and greeted Sisi on the outstanding organization of the UN Climate Conference, asserting that the US attaches great importance to its relations with Egypt.
The spokesman added that an open dialogue was held between Sisi and members of the US delegation who were keen on listening to the president’s estimates about the regional and international issues, topped by the fight against terrorism over the past few years in Egypt, regional crises in Libya, Yemen and Syria as well as Cairo’s strenuous efforts to reach a political settlement to all these conflicts.
Sisi reiterated that solutions to such crises should focus on ending any foreign interference and the presence of militias and extremist groups in parallel with supporting the concept of the state and its institutions, the central government and national armies.
The meeting also covered the latest developments in the Palestinian issue as Pelosi praised Egypt’s relentless efforts to back the peace process and maintain a cooling down between the two sides.
In this regard, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s permanent stance of the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive solution to guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international terms of reference, a matter which could open the door for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among peoples of the region.
The talks also covered means of bolstering joint cooperation relations between the two countries, especially in the political, military and economic domains.
Sisi also reviewed the state’s efforts to push forward the development march and modernize its infrastructure as well as the internal comprehensive economic reforms and efforts to achieve sustainable development
