Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi re-affirmed on Sunday that the security of Egypt and the Gulf are intertwined and constitute one of the bases of the Egyptian state policy.
Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement that Sisi re-stated his unwavering commitment to the close relationship with the GCC states in a meeting with the GCC Secretary General Nayef Al-Hajraf.
Sisi, during the meeting, affirmed his aspiration to develop these ties further in various sectors noting necessity of solidarity to face challenges facing the Arab nation, added Radi.
Sisi highlighted Egypt's political principles that aimed at boosting the Arab solidarity as a strategic approach for cooperation based on “mutual respect, sincere intentions, and coordination to curb any regional hazards or challenges,” said a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
For his part, Al-Hajraf underscored the close and brotherly ties between Egypt and the GCC countries hailing Cairo's pivotal role in safeguarding the nation security.
The secretary general described ties with Egypt as “historic with firm roots,” as he mentioned the GCC support for the Egyptian government in battling terrorism.
Al-Hajraf hailed Egypt’s efforts to support relations between Arab countries based on the good faith and non-interference in other Arab countries’ domestic affairs.
He highlighted Egypt’s permanent keenness towards solidarity among Arab nations and the enhancement of Arab joint work in the face of the enormous challenges the region is witnessing.
Al-Hajraf also met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and discussed regional developments.
Emerging from talks with Shoukry at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, Al-Hajraf said the security of the GCC states is an inseparable part of Egypt's security.
Asked to comment on his vision concerning the outcome of GCC summit in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, last month, he said the summit constituted a new step towards promoting inter-Gulf relations and unifying Arab stances towards regional issues of mutual concern.
He called for pursuing coordination, stressing the importance of solving the Palestinian cause in line with Arab peace initiative, the two-state solution, establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital and the return of the Palestinian refugees.
The GCC secretary-general called for respecting the sovereignty of Arab states and putting an end to foreign interference in their domestic affairs.
