CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s support for Iraq’s security and stability, praising the strategic relations between the two countries.
El-Sisi’s remarks came during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and his accompanying delegation.
Al-Sudani arrived in Egypt on an official visit and was received by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly at Cairo International Airport.
The meeting witnessed an exchange of views on a number of Arab and regional issues of common concern, as the two sides agreed on the importance of continuing intensive coordination to address the challenges facing the region in order to achieve the aspirations of its people to live in peace and stability.
El-Sisi said: “The firm constants of the Egyptian policy affirm support for Iraq and full support for the Iraqi people at various levels, especially with regard to combating terrorism and consolidating security and stability.”
El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s keenness to activate and diversify the frameworks of joint bilateral cooperation in various political, economic, commercial and cultural fields.
El-Sisi emphasized the need to expedite the implementation of joint projects between the two countries, according to the needs of the Iraqi people, in a way that enhances integration between the two sides and achieves common development goals, according to Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy.
The Iraqi prime minister praised the close and historical fraternal ties that unite the two countries.
Al-Sudani affirmed Iraq’s keenness to strengthen the frameworks of bilateral cooperation with Egypt and to explore mechanisms to push them to broader horizons and to benefit from Egyptian competencies in various fields, especially in light of the prominent Egyptian role in strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab action in facing the current crises and challenges in the region.
Madbouly affirmed Egypt’s full support for Iraq in its war against terrorism, praising its efforts to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability, as well as the role of Iraqi state institutions.
With regard to the tripartite cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan, the Egyptian Prime Minister expressed his aspiration for the joint projects agreed on to enter into force as soon as possible.
He said: “We view this tripartite cooperation from a comprehensive strategic perspective to link our interests and maximize common benefits that will benefit everyone.”
He also touched on the tripartite cooperation with Jordan and the outcomes of the tripartite summit, especially with regard to electrical interconnection, as the first phase with Jordan will be completed next June.
Al-Sudani explained that there are discussions to establish a logistical area on the border between Iraq and Jordan to contribute to the provision of goods and products, and Egypt can benefit from it by providing Egyptian products to the Iraqi market.
