Doha: President of the Arab Republic of Egypt H E Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed that his current visit to Qatar reflects the recent development and momentum in bilateral relations and bolsters both sides’ desires to deepen ties at various levels to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), president Sisi expressed appreciation for Qatar’s leadership, government and people for the good reception and hospitality accorded during the visit, which reflects the recent development and momentum in relations, and also boosts the mutual aspirations for deepening bilateral relations at all levels for the benefit of the two brotherly countries and peoples.
He noted that his visit reflects the mutual desires of both countries to support Arab solidarity and activate joint Arab action to achieve the main goal, which is maintaining the security and stability of the region during this current stage. He described this as extremely critical amid regional and international instability sweeping the world, which requires intensified cooperation and joint coordination between Egypt and Qatar.
The Egyptian leader said that the economic and investment cooperation between both countries is one of the most promising areas of interaction, adding that the economic cooperation was extensively reviewed over the previous year between senior Egyptian and Qatari officials.
According to him, both sides have recently devised many ideas and initiatives, and he hopes that they will be translated into real and tangible joint projects and investments, most notably in natural gas and renewable energy, as well as boosting common cooperation between the sovereign funds in the two countries. The president also highlighted other areas of joint economic cooperation, including agricultural projects.
He hailed the recent efforts of the Qatari mediation to back the national dialogue between the Chadian transitional regime and armed opposition groups, voicing hopes for further cooperation to support and enhance the Qatari efforts to achieve stability, development and security for the African continent.
Sisi also congratulated Qatar on hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as the first-of-its-kind championship to be held in the Arab region, stressing his belief in Qatar’s organisational and logistical capabilities to produce a unique World Cup that suits the Arab nation, adding that the event will open up prospects for the region to host more international sporting events.
Speaking about the upcoming Arab League Summit in Algeria, and the requirements to restore Arab solidarity, the Egyptian president said the summit was being held at a sensitive time for the Arab nation, amid many crises, tensions and the spread of the threat of terrorism.
He stressed the inevitability of restoring several principles and concepts in the Arab region, most notably committing to the concept of the national state, preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, disregarding all forms of communication with terrorist organizations and armed militias and supporting national armies and military institutions.
In this context, Sisi emphasised the importance of boosting the powers of central institutions to disallow forces outside this framework from tampering with the capabilities of Arab countries and their peoples.
“These are general principles around which all the problems of the Arab region revolve, and this is the framework for cooperating with the Arab brothers in the upcoming summit,” he elaborated.
Sisi also noted the role of the Arab League to overcome inter-Arab disputes to enhance Arab solidarity.
