Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasized the urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
This came during a meeting between President El-Sisi and the Iraqi PM on Tuesday in Cairo, where they tackled means to address a host of serious challenges impacting the region.
The two leaders called on the international community to exert substantial pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and put an end to the ongoing Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank, according to a presidential statement.
They also advocated for initiating a genuine political process to guarantee that the Palestinian people achieve their legitimate and just right to an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement added that both sides stressed that the political approach is the sustainable path to securing peace, security, and development in the region.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of de-escalating regional tensions and enhancing joint Arab efforts.
Enhancing bilateral relations
Several high-ranking Egyptian officials attended the meeting, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Housing, Investment, and Petroleum.
President El-Sisi reaffirmed to PM al-Sudani Egypt’s strong support for Iraq’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
He also endorsed efforts to promote stability, security, and development in Iraq, and to enhance its connections with its Arab neighbours.
Tuesday’s meeting also touched on the current bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly efforts to boost mutual and joint investments.
It also focused on cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and urban development, tourism, energy, transportation, and industry, to maximize the utilization of resources for the benefit of both nations and their peoples.
The meeting also reviewed the cooperation mechanism involving Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan, highlighting the commitment of all three countries to advancing their projects and achieving their goals.
This trilateral initiative aims to serve as a model for Arab cooperation and regional integration, the statement noted.
For his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister commended Cairo’s extensive experience and achievements in these areas.
Source: ahram Online
