Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Friday met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, the Egyptian presidency said.
The two leaders stressed their commitment to continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and co-operation in various fields, in the interests of their two countries and peoples, presidential spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
President Sisi highlighted key projects being implemented in Egypt as part of the Egyptian-Russian partnership, including the Dabaa nuclear power plant and the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, as well as co-operation in energy, trade, investment, food security and tourism.
He stressed Egypt’s readiness to overcome any challenges facing the implementation of joint projects, and welcomed the approval by Russian authorities of Alexandria and Alamein international airports, saying the move would help expand Russian tourism to new destinations in Egypt.
President Putin, for his part, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to further strengthening co-operation with Egypt and supporting the Egyptian state’s efforts to achieve comprehensive development, as well as implementing major projects according to agreed schedules and specifications.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, foremost among them the Palestinian issue. They stressed the need for a fair and comprehensive settlement based on a two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.
President Sisi outlined Egypt’s efforts to advance the implementation of the second phase of the agreement to halt the war in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the need for sufficient and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to ease the suffering of the territory’s residents.
The meeting also addressed the crisis involving Iran. The two presidents underlined the priority of reducing tensions and returning to negotiations with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and lasting agreement to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.
Regarding Sudan, the two leaders discussed the latest developments and stressed the need to preserve the country’s sovereignty, unity and national institutions.
President Sisi said any threat to the security, unity or sovereignty of neighbouring Sudan constituted a red line that Egypt would not allow to be crossed.
