Cairo: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday held talks with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi on ways to enhance fraternal cooperation and strategic relations between two countries.

Al Sissi welcomed the visit by Shaikh Mohammad and his delegation that comes within the framework of the close cooperation between both nations.

Shaikh Mohammad conveyed greetings from President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes of success for the Egyptian leadership and greater progress and prosperity for its people.

The two leaders explored ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various political and economic fields and the need to further boost them to serve common interests in view of the rapidly growing ties based on deeply rooted and historical foundations and a common strategic vision.

The talks touched on a number of key issues related to the strategic political and economic coordination in several topics that concern both countries and the entire region, most notably ideological and security challenges and terrorism.

Shaikh Mohammad highlighted that the UAE, under the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa, is keen to boost all channels of cooperation and bolster its relations with Egypt in all areas and push them to broader horizons.

“The UAE stands by Egypt and supports it politically and economically and will always support its people to realise their aspirations for stability and development,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

He stressed the importance of supporting Egypt at this historical phase. Egypt is the real security valve of the region due to its strategic weight, he said.

“The relations between the UAE and Egypt characterised by clear vision and steadfastness before challenges surrounding the region affected by chaos and rapid developments, requiring countries in the region to work collectively and collaboratively to establish an effective Arab strategy in the face of dangers that threaten security and stability in the entire region,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

Shaikh Mohammad was briefed by Al Sissi on the current preparations to hold a conference on the “Egypt Economic Development: Egypt the Future” .

He underlined the importance of the economic conference in Egypt as a concrete proof of the international interest in participation and contribution to boosting the economic development in Egypt.

Shaikh Mohammad highlighted the UAE’s strong presence in this conference for the good of Egypt and its people.

The two sides exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues that concern both countries, and discussed the current developments in the region.

Shaikh Mohammad and Al Sissi reiterated their keenness to continue to enhance their bilateral relations and develop them further in the best interests of their people.

They called on the international community to shoulder their responsibility towards the latest developments in the region and the need to cooperate with the countries in the region to impose peaceful solutions that ensure security and stability for all and contribute to build the trust.

The Egyptian president hosted a lunch banquet in honour of Shaikh Mohammad and his delegation.